Brian Manning’s Tucker Box 

This battered, metal tuckerbox was used on outback trips to support strikers during the historic nine-year Wave Hill walk-off 1966 to 1975. I was intrigued by the contents, especially the inclusion of a smart red pepper grinder and some Tupperware containers. So I went along to the Australian National Museum in Canberra today to have a look for myself.

I like most Australians learnt almost nothing about Aboriginal history at school, I had assumed that the Wave Hill Walk off took place pre WWII. Hence my curiosity about the modern day implements. The tuckerbox was built to be animal-proof and to withstand tough conditions. Manning arranged the transport of supplies from the union to support the strike, initially at Victoria River, using his TJ Series Bedford truck. This has also been acquired by ANM and is being stablised for travel and is expected to arrive in Canberra later this year.

Photos courtesy of the Australian National Museum Canberra

Author: mimfilip

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