My son asked me recently: “Is it true that the Kangaroo and Emu were chosen for our coat of arms because they can’t move backwards?”
“Why yes, yes it is”, was my answer. That’s the official reasoning, anyway, and clearly the answer the teacher was after.
The shield is held up by the native Australian animals the kangaroo and the emu, which were chosen to symbolise a nation moving forward, based on the fact that neither animal can move backwards easily.
Ref: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Website
After the last 18 months, an unkind soul might suggest that it’s because they are herd animals and largely move around unquestioningly in lockstep with those around them.
Frankly, 2020/21 gives me every reason to think that it’s because they are two of the dumbest animals on earth, and it’s just really appropriate.
Perhaps Sheep and Pig might be equally appropriate
No, Zippy!
Both are far too tasty to be on the coat of arms.
And I second Mater’s comments about skippies and derpy birds being two of the stupidest creatures on the planet- I have chased kangaroos up track on a locomotive! When a quick hop to the left or right would have taken it out of danger.
And emus have nothing approximating road sense.
that’s not true. They’ll run along the road in front of your car for miles.
And emus have nothing approximating road sense.
that’s not true. They’ll run along the road in front of your car for miles.
Meep! Meep!
(Last one that tried crossing rail trracks in front of me went *THUMP!* Then presumably got up and wobbled away. Better responses to concussion than a Rugby prop, those things…)
“Moving forward”.
For a moment I was stricken with horror, paralysed, sweat on my top lip, and unseeing eyes frozen wide open…I remembered with dread where I had heard that before. With what terrible drone, what deformed pronunciation, what lifeless intonation…Julia Gillard!
Rex Angersays:
August 25, 2021 at 9:48 pm
No, Zippy!
Both are far too tasty to be on the coat of arms.
There used to be a butcher in Binalong who made specialised sausages. One was a mixture of kangaroo and emu meat. He called it “Coat of Arms”.
It’s the ones that will pace along at speed parallel to you, all the while with their heads turned towards you looking at you, then decide to dart across the road in front of you that you need to watch out for .
Especially when on a motorcycle!