6 July 2022
Narelle organised a cooking demonstration for residents and employees at Regis Playford as part of their NAIDOC Week 2022 celebrations.
“I don’t really celebrate my culture, but I love bush tucker and the bush,” Narelle says.
“I wanted to make the others Johnny Cakes and cook sausages with flame. Lamb would have been better. I cooked for the others for afternoon tea.”
Johnny Cakes are made with flour, salt and water. Mix all the ingredients together and portion out the dough. Then roll the dough balls flat and cook them over coals—no flame. Johnny Cakes are best enjoyed with meat.
Narelle says the fact that you can now buy kangaroo in supermarkets doesn’t mean anything to her as “it doesn’t taste the same as bush tucker.”
Narelle was born in Wilcannia and was one of ten children. When she was young, the 52-year-old lived in the bush and moved around with her parents to Menindee, Broken Hill and Mildura.
“I love going back there [Mildura] to visit,” Narelle exclaims.
“I am going there soon with my son to visit my uncle who still lives in the bush. He will bring me and my sister wild meat that he catches, like rabbit. Wild rabbit is good eating.”
In the lead up to NAIDOC Week, Narelle watched the music video ‘Wilcannia Mob-Down River’ with Regis Playford General Manager Kim Hahn.
“I loved it, [it] made me happy, [I] seen my river,” Narelle says.
You can see where Narelle grew up and watch the music video here.
NAIDOC Week 2022 is being celebrated from 3-10 July.
