wood and water joey

As common tasks would include fetching wood and water. "Joey" ("young marsupial, notably a young kangaroo") as wood and water joeys were usually young.

wood and water joey (plural wood and water joeys)

1. (Australia, dated) A person who performs odd jobs; a rouseabout or handyperson.
   • 1873, New South Wales. Parliament. Legislative Council, Votes & Proceedings, page 682:

     I have known a case where a gentleman, since the Premier of a neighbouring colony, recommended to the Government of which I was a member the appointment of two persons at New England, one of whom was, we were afterwards told, what is called a wood and water joey in a squatter's employment, and the other was a shepherd.

   • 1921, Queensland. Public Service Commissioner, Annual Report:

     "A wood and water joey"! The prospect of such a career for their son is not alluring to many a town father and mother, and hence their reluctance to permit the boy to take a job in the country even though he may feel the call of the land.

   • 2011 December 1, Lennie Wallace, Cape York Peninsula, Boolarong Press, →ISBN, page 29:

     As 'wood and water joey,' he was responsible for supplying wood for the fire and water for the camp.

   • 2021 March 30, D. M. Horner, The Commanders: Australian Military Leadership in the Twentieth Century, Routledge, →ISBN:

     After the campaign commenced Bennett was determined that the AIF would take an active part in the defence of Malaya and not become just a collection of 'wood and water joeys' for the British.