Gumnut technician

So...each bag of biscuits that leaves Aurora to be delivered is finished with our trademark tartan ribbon and gumnut. 

But just what does it take to get to this stage?

First the gumnuts have to be collected, and we are always happy when someone drops in saying they have a supply for us.

Once they are properly dried, they need to have two holes drilled through them for threading the ribbon through. Aurora trainees are regularly supported throughout the year to keep up this supply of ready to go gumnuts, but what about during the Anzac Bake? 

Enter our Gumnut Technician Richard who in the lead-up to the bake has spent many an hour doing just that!

Then they need to be given a clean and finally they can be threaded with a ribbon ready to adorn that bag of biscuits!

Here's a few pics of how it's done...

Each gumnut is placed in a holder so the 

holes are drilled in the correct spot.

Richard gave a special demonstration for the blog.

The 'in tray'...

And when that's finished, here's the next job!

Just before the bake started it was many hands make light work...

Wayne, Dean, Maree, David, Raj and Gary all cleaning gumnuts.

Josh and Rony.

We're back...

Refreshed from a lovely easter break we've returned today to bring you more of the biscuits you love!

Without further ado...

Adrita and Gary making a fresh start on the butter.

Helped by Bronte and Louise.

More inserts please...Bjorn and Wayne are onto it.

Jennifer and Julie adding some labels to the bags.

Along with Michael.

While Luke writes the dates.

Rosie and Jeremy are busy measuring ribbon 

and threading gumnuts.

Louise assisted by Pam is also trying her hand

 at the tricky threading process.

Georgia and Steph in the dry mix area.

One pot, two pots, it's business here says Cheryl!

Cheryl's first day of the Bake for this year, 

working with Alyson to fill Bryce with the next mix.

Job's done here says Natalie.

Not so in the pantry, David, Maree and Tom

keep them coming!

Perfect biscuits or what?

Yes they are! Heather with another tray 

bound for the lifting table.

Donna is ready to take that tray and 

lift them onto the racks to cool.

Stuart busy packing.

As are Angie and John on the other side.

Jo and Alanna doing quality checks as they 

seal them with a ribbon and gumnut.

Col and Rusty called in to collect a basket 

bound for Queensland.

Afternoon and Angie has moved to the butter table.

Maree and Tom are now dating the bags.

As is David.

Bronte and Louise prepare some label 

some more bags for tomorrow.

Alyson and Gary are cleaning gumnuts.

Ready to be threaded by Sue and Wayne.

Cheryl is working in the dry mix area with Natalie.

Heather keeping an eye as another dry mix 

is put together by Cheryl.

Stuart and Adrita working in the kitchen.

Where it's a production line!

Luke and Michael busy rolling.

Twice the speed!

Helen and Jennifer on ovens.

Pam and Helen in what looks like 

serious debate at the lifting table.

This lady is both sides of the table in a flash, 

Jeremy and Pam with another tray ready to cool.

Jo and Anne and another 10 ready to pack.

Mellany and Louise finishing off the last packs for today.

And today's tally is? Coming soon!!!

A few facts

The ANZAC Biscuit

The original ANZAC biscuit, the ANZAC 'tile', was part of army rations given to ANZAC soldiers during the First World War. Unlike the popular ANZAC biscuits of today, ANZAC 'tiles' were hard tack, a simple cracker made mainly from flour and water as a substitute for bread that does not go mouldy. Soldiers also used the biscuits as paint canvases and even as photo frames. One such biscuit features the use of wool and bullets to create a picture frame.

The Poppy

Most people are unaware that as well as the traditional commemorative red poppy there are also the white poppy symbolizing peace and the purple poppy remembering all the animals that died during conflicts. People are encouraged to wear the purple poppy alongside the red traditional red poppy as a reminder that both humans and animals have and continue to serve. Australia sent 130,000 horses to the World War 1 and only one came home.

The acronym ANZAC

ANZAC is the acronym formed from the initial letters of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This was the banner in which Australian and New Zealand soldiers in Egypt were grouped before the landing at Gallipoli in April 1915. The acronym was first written as “A & NZ Army Corps”. However, clerks in the corps headquarters soon shortened it to ANZAC as a convenient telegraphic code name for addressing telegram messages.

Brighton Army Camp

A military post was established at Brighton in Tasmania in 1826 beginning a military presence there that would last for over 170 years. Troops were prepared at the Brighton Army Camp for service in both the First and Second World Wars. During the Second World War, the camp was also used to house prisoners of war. Often the camp would be open to visitors who would share a meal with the troops. 500 Tasmanian soldiers of the 12th Battalion who went ashore in the second wave at Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915 were trained at Brighton.

Measurements

The physical characteristics of the ideal soldier during World War I were:

Aged between 18 and 35 years old
168 cm in height (5 foot, 6 inches)
Chest measurement of 86cm (34 inches)
Later these requirements were relaxed due to the demand on soldiers needed.

For enlistment in the Light Horse Regiment conditions applied for both rider and horse:

The soldier must be able to ride bare-back and jump over a fence. The horse must be solid brown or grey in colour and be at least 14 ½ hands high.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Soldiers

At the outbreak of World War One, about 170 Aboriginal people lived on Cape Barren Island and of the 27 men deemed eligible to serve, 21 enlisted and served at Gallipoli, in Flanders, and on the Somme. Six of the men from Cape Barren Island were killed.

Special thanks to Paul Armstrong, President, Claremont RSL, for providing some lesser known facts for all our blog readers to enjoy.

 

A blank canvas...

Soon to be filled with...Anzac biscuits! 

Last day before the Easter break but that didn't stop today's crew from baking up a minor storm before the mid season cleanup. 

Bjorn said he's always on ovens when 

the phantom blogger comes around...

Not this morning, it's butter time.

Layla creating butter art.

Luke and Mellany proving this is serious business.

Amanda, Julie and Emma are dating today's bags.

Louise and Veronica prepare some more for next week.

Wayne and Heather are cleaning gumnuts 

and threading them with ribbons.

Ross stirring the dry mix.

Sia watching over Josh's shoulder as 

he prepares the butter and syrup mix.

Dallas and Bronte rolling in the kitchen.

Jennifer's first day today, working in the pantry.

Along with Cherie and Dagmara.

Multi-tasking, Sia keeping an eye on the ovens too.

Raj at the lifting table.

While Jennifer and Sue are busy packing.

Tammy has got her 10 biscuits ready to bag.

Ribbon gymnastics - Kelly got 10 out of 10!

Man of many talents, Shane on the ribbon tying.

Deputy driver Maree delivering the biscuits around town.

What happens when you cook a lot of biscuits?

Jennifer reckons you've a lot of cleaning to do!

Lined up and ready for next week.

Back to the ovens...

Bronte giving Bjorn lessons in oven cleaning!

Mellany has passed washing up with flying colours.

These two must have talked before coming to 

work this morning...Ross and Veronica in the 

rubbish crew uniform, red goes faster.

And finally... Who knows what is really 

going on under all these masks?

Bjorn, Jennifer, Gary and Rony were happy to 

give us a demonstration...

And look they are all happy!!! 

Gary is being modest but he was smiling too 😍

And that's it for this week folks! Have a happy and safe Easter, and see you all next week.