In the UK Easter eggs are delivered by the Easter Bunny. However, as Australians don’t welcome an Easter bunny, they have a different sort of treat bringer.
Australians don’t welcome an Easter bunny.
Rabbits were only introduced to the continent in the 1850’s and were intended as quarry for hunting enthusiasts. However the 24 imported specimens multiplied so quickly that by the turn of the 20th century, the adorable bunnies had become crop-destroying thorns in farmers’ sides. The province of Western Australia even tried using a giant fence to stop illegal rabbit immigration.
With rabbits seen as an enemy, Australians replaced the Easter Bunny with Bilbies. These endangered marsupials share the Easter Bunny’s long ears and have the added bonus of respecting the nation’s valuable crops.
The first documented use of the Easter Bilby concept was in March 1968, per Wikipedia, when 9-year-old Rose-Marie Dusting wrote the story “Billy The Aussie Easter Bilby” which she published as a book 11 years later. The first Chocolate Easter Bilbies were sold at the Warrawong Sanctuary. Australian author and illustrator Irena Sibley produced three Easter Bilby books between 1994 and 2000 including the best selling The Bilbies’ First Easter
More recently, Ninu Easter Bilby Paperback by Lyndall Stavrou (Author), Jann Forge (Illustrator) was published in March 2014. This is available from Amazon at https://amzn.to/46VdRA9
Easter Chocolate Hamper for Easter Gifts
Hop into the joyous spirit of Easter with a delectable Chocolate Hamper
Bursting with irresistible sweetness, this delightful hamper, available from Amazon, offers a number of yummy Chocolate gifts suitable for family, friends, colleagues, or anyone with a sweet tooth! Available from Amazon at https://amzn.to/4rrbqfV
