I wouldn't say it's been a slow week, news-wise here in Australia, but the hottest item has been the startling revelation that kangaroos are predominantly left handed.

A study involving a multitude of academics and researchers from no less than three separate universities has elicited this earth shattering scoop, which will doubtless be of major intrigue to fans of the TV show 'Skippy', if no one else.

Devotees of the programme will recall that whenever Skip made a phone call to alert the authorities that young Sonny, his best mate, was in a bit of strife, he always favoured the right paw.

What's more, the uber talented marsupial did the same whilst playing the drums or julienning carrots, a quite appalling and rudimentary blunder there by the show's producer, I'm sure you'll agree.

I mean how did they expect us to believe in the premise of the show - a kangaroo with a profound social conscience - if they couldn't even get the simple basics right?

Younger readers might not be aware of the delights of 'Skippy, The Bush Kangaroo', in which case I'd urge them toward YouTube to check it out. It's hilarious and firmly in the so bad, it's good category.

An even better watch is a doco about the making of Skippy which reveals that not only was there more than one roo featured as the titular character, there were in fact, quite literally, hundreds.

Remember those scenes when Skip dashed hurriedly off into the bush to solve a mystery?

That was when one of the many marsupials used in the show was released from a caged enclosure.

Far from bouncing into the scrub to right wrongs and free Sonny from the ravine he was teetering over, the animal in question was fleeing captivity and the TV cameras, never to be seen again. Time to call in another stand-in.

Utterly synonymous with Oz, the kangaroo is, in no way, a species under threat. In fact, there are far more roos than humans in Australia, a reality which brings great cheer to most people, though not to farmers, who consider them a significant pest.

Surprisingly and for no great reason other than tradition, the meat of the animal is rarely available or marketed commercially, despite the fact that, not only is it tasty, but coming from such a lean beast, is relatively healthy.

The odd trendy restaurant, of which Melbourne has many (some odder than others) - will feature kangaroo on the menu, but generally beef and lamb, both of which were introduced by the invading Brits, predominates.

This is yet another example of the folly of colonisation, as beef production in particular is an ecologically poor user of land, especially given Australia's dryness of terrain, but then, crass stupidity associated with the red, white and blue invasion of 1788 would make for an exceptionally long list.

The development and mass availability of kangaroo meat has much in the way of merit, although no one should expect to see it happening any time soon.

One of the inherent problems has nothing whatever to do with taste, but in the image of the animal being representative of the nation in some sort of totemistic manner.

This was certainly the argument put forward by Steve 'Crikey' Irwin, the erstwhile TV personality and wildlife oracle. Roos, according to Steve, were symbolic of the positive imagery of Australia and therefore it was 'disrespectful' to consume them.

Some people thought this was a bit rich coming from a bloke who juggled crocodiles for the delectation of tourists and TV watchers worldwide, but given Steve's untimely demise at the point of a stingray barb, perhaps it's best not to speak ill of the deceased.

Life goes in the field of light entertainment however and Steve's daughter Bindi now flies the television Irwin flag and although she lacks her dad's vocal mannerisms, it's quite apparent that she shares his enthusiasm and mystifying love of combat shirts and too short shorts.

Regardless of its undoubted place as an immediately recognisable symbol of Australia, the kangaroo itself is generally shy and cautious of humans, which is probably just as well.

Contrary to perceived opinions however, it is not a cuddly creature and having been close enough to one in its natural environs, I can tell you the power and force of a large boomer in flight is mighty impressive.

Although there have been some isolated cases of a roo attacking humans, usually as a result of extreme thirst and hunger, a more realistic danger is hitting one whilst driving. Such an incident can result in the car being a write-off and animal activists will remind you that it won't do the kangaroo any favours either.

A territorial bust-up between male roos isn't a pretty sight; any brutal struggle between two agonistic blokes never is, but a couple of big brawny boomers going at it hammer and tong really is a bout with no holds barred.

A heavyweight boxing match featuring two southpaws.

'Okily-dokily, let's get ready to rumble!', as that other renowned lefty, Ned Flanders, might say.