Not everyone in Australia eats Witchety Grubs and throws shrimps on the BBQ. Some of us elect to not eat Things with faces, or Things that come from things with faces.

Whilst veganism is a minority dietary choice in Australia, it is indeed possible to enjoy a varied and healthy diet sans animal produce, even in the harshest and most remote of areas. Surviving on vegan bush tucker is not only easy, it is also great exercise.

Here Naomi demonstrates the correct method for boomeranging a tofuroo. Meanwhile I am preparing to spear a lentilgator.

No animals were harmed in the making of this blog entry.

Under a hot sun, it is necessary to keep one’s Esky cool. Being sans beach umbrella is the Mother of Invention. Naomi therefore constructed a fantastic sunshade using available materials. What a little champion she is – a real keeper.

When out in the Australian bush, surviving on your wiles and cunning, it may become necessary to manufacture certain tools. Unlikely as it sounds, the nearest Bunnings or Mitre 10 hardware store may be many thousands of kilometers distant, just as you find yourself in desperate need of a tool to remove the skin off a kangaroo or a possum.

Print off this blog entry and tuck it into the secret inside pocket of your wallet or handbag, and then you’ll always be prepared.

Essential ingredients:
– a straight stick, suitable for use as a handle for your completed tool
– an abalone shell
– a selection of stones to use in the construction
Equal amounts of:
– the dried resinous sap of the grass tree
– dried kangaroo poo
– charcoal

Method:
– grind finely the resin, poo and charcoal. Mix thoroughly

– light a fire

– evenly coat one end of the stick with the powder

– melt it to a smooth, glassy finish in the fire. Build up layer upon layer until the resign coating is about 1cm deep, enough to hold several chips of abalone shell.

– crack off several flat pieces of abalone shell, suitable for use as an axe-head shaped blade

– using more resin powder, stick the shell pieces into the resin you have already built up on the end of the stick
– use more resin to ensure a strong hold

– in case you need another fire later, wedge some hot coals into the seed holes of a Banksia seed pod.

Done.

I have no advice however as to the correct method for actually skinning a ‘roo or a possum. You are entirely on your own in that regard.

Good luck!