Western Advocate editorial: June 20, 2021 | | Bathurst is Chiko's home, that's how we roll

One of them, perhaps curiously, is the Australian fast food icon the Chiko Roll - and, more specifically, which Australian town or city might most correctly lay claim to it.

It's a topic Mr Gee has addressed a couple of times in the past and it came up again in federal parliament just last week. At least, Mr Gee again found a reason to bring it up.

On this occasion Mr Gee was responding to a Dorothy Dixer question regarding Australia's freshly-signed trade agreement with the UK and how it might deliver more job and business opportunities for regional Australia.

Mr Gee began his response by saying he had heard UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson say he was looking forward to more Tim Tams and Vegemite making their way to the UK.

"Well, to that I would say: prime minister, you don't know the half of it," Mr Gee gleefully told parliament.

"The best is yet to come because we've got Chiko Rolls from Bathurst coming your way. Life is going to get much better. As the acting prime minister knows, Bathurst is the home of the Chiko Roll."

That was a gentle dig at deputy prime minister Michael McCormick who has previously claimed Wagga Wagga as the home of the Chiko Roll because its first appearance was at the Wagga show many years ago.

Bendigo has also claimed the Chiko as its own because its inventor, Francis McEnroe, was a Bendigo local.

Mr Gee's claim for Bathurst is based on the fact that Chiko is now produced at Bathurst Simplot plant.

So, some might argue, all three cities have a claim to the Chiko. They would be wrong, though.

As far as this newspaper is concerned, Mr Gee is on the money; Bathurst is the home of the Chiko Roll.

Because, just as is the case with humans, it is not where you were conceived that is your home; it is not where you were born that is your home; it is where you live now that is your home.

Bendigo and Wagga can rightly claim a spot in the Chiko's history but its home now and its home into the future is Bathurst.

When it comes to the Chiko Roll, Mr Gee, we stand with you.

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