Vegetarianism in Australia - 1788 to 1948: a cultural and social history

Australia has had for many years the highest meat consumption in the world, but conversely it also boasts one of the oldest Vegetarian Societies and the earliest Western animal cruelty laws. This book gives an alternative view of the traditional Australian dietary culture, which is normally seen as solely reliant on the barbeque and meat pie. Beginning in 1788 it tells the history of the Australian Vegetarian movement and the personalities within it that attempted to convert a society founded on a promise of 'meat three times a day'. Through an analysis of literature and newspapers it examines how the diet became part of an artistic and cultural battle for Australian identity in the late 19th century that was waged in novels, poetry and popular journals. The growth of the health and natural food movement from the 1920s onwards is detailed and the influence and development in Australia of religious and temperance movements that promoted vegetarianism are also discussed.