Cyril Callister Museum nabs jar thought to contain early batch of Australia’s favourite spread

A museum in regional Victoria which celebrates the inventor of Vegemite has landed a rare glass jar thought to have held one of the very first batches of Australia’s favourite spread.

Liza Robinson from the Cyril Callister Museum in Beaufort, Victoria, and Stephen Greenwood from the Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, in nearby Clunes, with a rare Vegemite jar. Photo: Contributed

In a small town west of Ballarat there is an old petrol station turned cafe and community hub.

At the same address is celebrated a colour scheme as familiar to an Australian as the national green and gold.

Drivers along the highway to Beaufort are met by signs painted in the tricolour of a Vegemite jar — or quadcolour if you count the spread itself.

The Cyril Callister Museum on Neill St celebrates the inventor of that black patriotic paste, and now it has landed a rare glass jar thought to have held one of the very first batches.

The jar carries no label or lid but has the same shape and amber hue that marked the glass of Fred Walker & Company’s 1923 production lines.

Stephen Greenwood from the Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles. Photo: Contributed

The jar’s donor is Stephen Greenwood, bottle collector and president of the Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles in Clunes.

He said the item’s pedigree was proved by the words ‘Fred Walker’ on its base and a maker’s stamp dating it between 1923 and 1926.

“I like to help out where I can,” Mr Greenwood said.

“It’s tough getting younger people excited about museums and volunteering and this all helps.”

Cyril Callister worked in the Fred Walker company lab where he was tasked with creating Vegemite 100 years ago.

Liza Robinson is the secretary of a foundation bearing his name which supports the volunteer-run Beaufort museum, where she said Mr Greenwood’s gift would hold “pride of place”.

“This jar is part of the Vegemite origins story and we’re thrilled to have it especially this year as we celebrate 100 years of Vegemite,” Ms Robinson said.

“Some people see an old glass jar but for us, it’s full of meaning.

“Since I started at the Cyril Callister Museum, I have been constantly amazed by the number of people who approach me to tell me of their love for Vegemite.”

The Cyril Callister Museum is open Wednesdays to Saturdays and entry for individuals is free.