Goon sack turns 50

I've always wondered how the goon sack got its name.

I never used to refer to it as a goon sack, but my kids do ... so it's an acceptable term these days.

I thought that maybe there was some derogatory reference, other than to the usually cheap wine inside.

The Urban Dictionary has an interesting definition viz.

... a silver sack filled with cheap wine which is found within a cardboard box. Drunk by youths in Australia due to its low cost however it promotes vomiting due to its awful taste.

Hey, you want to get a goon sack and get maggot?

Anyway, this year celebrates the 50 years since invention of the goon sack.

It was conceived, invented and put into production by Riverland winemaker Tom Angove. He wanted a easy way to transport the equivalent of a half-gallon flagon of table wine. Hence the creation of the term goon, soon to become goon sack.

It's a fantastic SA invention, just like the Hills Hoist, the Stobie pole and the Stump Jump Plough. 

Have a read of the story about how the goon sack evolved.

Here's a link to the story ...

ps If you shop wisely, you can get some decent wines in a goon sack, but it will cost you more than $10.