100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Sami Muirhead celebrates all things turning 70 this year, like the Chiko Roll and the Queen

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Funding for stretch of scenic coastal walkway

More than $1.1 million has been allocated to upgrade a section of beachside pathway with expansive ocean views. Sunshine Coast Council’s 2026-2027 budget included funds More

Coveted equine holding sold to local investor

A landmark property at the heart of the Sunshine Coast's horse racing industry has changed hands in a $4 million off-market transaction. The sprawling equine More

Growing community welcomes new early learning centre

An independent Queensland childcare provider has opened its first Sunshine Coast centre in Australia’s largest masterplanned community. Joy Early Learning opened a new centre in More

UniSC ranks first nationally to tackle hunger

A Sunshine Coast university has been named Australia's best for efforts to reduce hunger, while also emerging as Queensland's leading institution for protecting land More

‘Quicksand of crime’: new youth bail law under fire

First there was "Adult Crime, Adult Time". Now Queensland's Liberal National government has a new slogan after bolstering the controversial legislation – "Breach Bail, Go More

Fuel leak prompts environmental enforcement order

A Sunshine Coast service station has been ordered to undertake further remediation work following a fuel leak that contaminated the surrounding environment. The Queensland Department More

Birthdays that end in a zero are a little more special than others.

It is a big year for the Queen, with new plans released to celebrate her historic reign. A few weeks ago, she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service on the throne.

But an Aussie icon has quietly turned 70 without any royal fan-fare.

The Chiko Roll was invented by an Australian named Frank McEncroe way back in 1951 and was inspired by the Chinese spring roll.

The hilarious thing is the Chicken Roll, as it was first formerly called, never contained a trace of actual chicken, but instead was stuffed with cabbage and barley and celery and onion.

It was a plant-based snack designed to be easily eaten on the move without cutlery.

Some may say Frank was ahead of his time with his deep-fried delicious delight. At the peak of its popularity in the 1960s and ’70s, 40 million Chiko Rolls were sold annually in Australia.

How was everyone so skinny? Don’t get me started on the fact we were encouraged to smother ourselves in coconut oil when we were sunbaking!

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news and opinion coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.

The company that now produces Chiko Rolls also makes Corn Jacks, supreme pizza subs and onion rings. This makes me happy because they are staying in their lane of making food that is unhealthy for your body but seemingly good for the soul.

The company knows its wheelhouse is fatty and fried foods.

And you know who else is 70? Paul Stanley,  from the band KISS! Sting is also the same age. How did Gordon Sumner get to be that age?

Wonder Woman is also 70. Yep. Lynda Carter. Bob Geldolf, Michael Keaton, Mark Hamill, Mark Harmon, Kurt Russell and Jane Seymour are also in the seventies club.

And as if that is not mind blowing enough, I am adding to the list John Mellencamp and Tony Danza. Tony from Who’s The Boss somehow grew older when we were pigging out on Chiko Rolls. Happy birthday to all the legends.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share