Jack Karlson’s famous ‘succulent Chinese meal’ speech has been added to Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) Sounds of Australia collection. The 1991 outburst, which became a global meme, is one of nine audio recordings preserved this year for their historical, cultural and aesthetic significance.
Karlson, a small-time criminal, was arrested outside a Chinese restaurant in Queensland. His exclamation – “Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest! … What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?” – was captured by a 7NEWS report and later went viral on YouTube. The clip also includes him shouting “Get your hand off my penis!” and complimenting an officer on his headlock technique.
The Sounds of Australia collection, established nearly two decades ago, features recordings nominated by the public and selected by a panel of NFSA sound experts. This year’s additions also include Marcia Hines’ 1977 track ‘You’, Missy Higgins’ 2004 hit ‘Scar’, and a pedestrian crossing signal sampled by Billie Eilish.
Other recordings include Rosie Batty’s 2015 Australian of the Year acceptance speech, dedicated to her murdered son Luke; an ABC radio broadcast of a native title determination; Joe Dolce’s ‘Shaddap You Face’; the Tabaran music video by Not Drowning, Waving; and the Reading Writing hotline jingle. The NFSA now houses over 300,000 audio items, with one-third at risk and preserved through digitisation.
