Royal Australian Navy Centenary commemorative ANZAC biscuit tin
Date2011
Object number00051747
NameTin
MediumMetal
DimensionsOverall: 250 x 175 x 72 mm
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the family of Henry 'Jim' Ramsbottom
DescriptionEmpty 500g limited edition Anzac biscuit tin celebrating 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy, 1911-2011, made by Unibic. The lid features a large central illustration of seven naval officers and ratings in uniform, several of whom wear cap tallies from HMAS AUSTRALIA. Text beneath the central image reads: Celebrating 100 years of the / Royal Australian / Navy / 1911 - 2011.HistoryInvented during WWI, as a means to provide Australian and New Zealand soldiers fighting overseas with comforting and nutritional foods which were not susceptible to spoilage on the long slow voyages of supply ships, ANZAC biscuits were initially referred to as Soldier’s Biscuits until the landing at Gallipoli and the actions of the ANZACs inspired their popular name. The recipe combination of butter, oats, flour, golden syrup and coconut, made these biscuits ideal for surviving the long journey from Australia and New Zealand to the battlefields and trenches in Europe. The biscuits also did not use eggs as a binding agent, as in more traditional biscuit recipes, which was important due to the shortage in supply of eggs following the enlistment of many poultry farmers.
Not only an enjoyable sweet treat for the soldiers, the ANZAC biscuit was also a fond reminder of those at home awaiting their safe return. The production and distribution of the biscuits to the battlefront was a large scale operation chiefly undertaken by women’s organisations and community groups, such as the CWA (Country Women’s Association), church groups and schools. Prior to shipping, biscuits were packed in used tins which could be sealed tightly and therefore avoid deterioration.
The company Unibic issue a commemorative tin of ANZAC biscuits every year and have a unique partnership with the RSL, whereby a proportion of proceeds from biscuit sales go to the organisation to help raise funds for veterans and provide educational resources for younger generations. Unibic ANZAC biscuits are now sold in the United Kingdom, India, Canada, the United States and New Zealand – with a percentage of total sale proceeds going to various war veterans and community support groups. The ANZAC commemorative tins are a long-standing tradition for the ANZAC biscuits brand as an important fund-raising component for the RSL in Australia, RNZRSA in New Zealand, and VFW in the United States.
SignificanceThe ANZAC biscuit tin was produced by Unibic in 2011 to celebrate the Centenary of the formation of the Royal Australian Navy. Each year the company Unibic produces a special tin of ANZAC biscuits in cooperation with the Returned & Services League (RSL) to raise funds for veterans and provide education resources on Australia's ANZAC history.
