Quinnley Meyer Wallace (age 9)
Les Hiddins
Major Leslie James Hiddins, better known as ‘The Bush Tucker Man’, is an important figure in Australian history because, before him, zilch European settlers knew anything about what to eat or what not to eat in the Australian bush.
I first became interested in Les Hiddins when my dad showed me YouTube videos of the ABC TV series, Bush Tucker Man. What interested me most was Hiddins’ knowledge of the bush and that we walk past sooo many edible bush foods without knowing they are there.
He is awesome because he really respects Aboriginal knowledge and wisdom of survival.
I also think he is awesome because his Land Rover could go anywhere, even in water up to the window! How could the engine even survive?
Les Hiddins showed me how to survive using bushcraft and what to eat.
Early life and family
I could not find out a lot about Les Hiddins’ childhood but I do know that he was born in Brisbane and grew up in Cairns. Cape York is the area he knows most because he was brought up in that country. Les is 78 and lives in Townsville, Queensland. He is married and has two grown kids.
Lifetime accomplishments
Les had many achievements, but to save time, I’ve listed only a few. His time in the 1960s in the Australian army in Vietnam got him thinking what he could supplement his dwindling ration packs with? Some local food perhaps? Back home in Australia, Les was the first to research the natural survival resources of the north Australian wilderness. In 1987, he was the principal author of the Australian army’s survival manual.
Ever heard of the Kakadu plum (pronounced kaa-kah-doo)? Thanks to Les, we now know it has the richest source of vitamin C in the world! Jaw dropping isn’t it?
As well as all that stuff, I think the biggest contribution that Major Leslie James Hiddins made was to show people what the Aussie bush has to offer.
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