Vegemite’s bloody good show

HAVING donated enough blood to save more than 1500 lives, Dr Peter Schiff is the most prolific donor in Victoria – a title that has earned his face a spot on 75,000 jars of Vegemite in the lead-up to Australia Day.

Schiff is one of 10 finalists to be featured on limited-edition jars of the spread, available at supermarkets this month as part of the “Toast of a Nation” competition, which celebrates the extraordinary achievements of ordinary Australians.

In fact, Vegemite has renamed itself “Australia” in honour of what the company’s marketing director, Jenny Nolch, called the “irreverence of Australian culture”.

“Vegemite has been manufactured in Australia for 89 years. We recognise it’s a historic part of Australia’s culture, identity and personality, and for this reason are delighted to create a special jar which we hope will capture the nation’s imagination and inspire them to celebrate Australia Day,” she said.

Schiff’s daughter nominated him for the competition, along with 700 other hopefuls. Kraft chose 25 finalists and posted their stories via the site, inviting the public to vote for the $10,000 “People’s Choice” winner and nine runners-up, who each received a $2000 cash prize.

Schiff has paid 591 visits to the blood bank since 1953, donating approximately 300 litres of blood or plasma. The retired haematologist first donated blood after volunteering as a driver for the Red Cross in his student days.

“I was working nights and weekends driving cars to deliver blood after hours to hospitals. Since I was training to be a doctor anyway, I thought, ‘This is something I should probably be a part of,’ and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

The 76-year-old said he hoped his story would inspire action.

“It’s great, it gives you a bit of a buzz to think that your face is going to be on breakfast tables all around the country. But more than that, I hope it will stimulate some people to start giving blood. “I’m hoping that somebody will say, ‘Well that fellow was able to do it, I can do it too.’”

Currently, only three per cent of eligible donors in Australia regularly give blood.

Find out how and where to donate blood at www.donateblood.com.au or by calling 13 14 95.

LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA