The Royal Adelaide Show is extra sweet this year as two iconic confectionary items celebrate significant milestones by bringing back original packaging and limited edition items for South Australians to enjoy. (Image: Amelia Walters)
By Amelia Walters | @ameliaw.claire
What began as a recycling experiment using leftover Violet Crumble, has resulted in six decades of sweet treats for show-goers across South Australia.
Created in 1963 to rival the infamous Freddo Frog, Bertie Beetle first appeared in the Hoadley’s Chocolate showbag alongside other iconic confectionary creations like the Polly Waffle and Violet Crumble.
Now in 2023, families across South Australia flood into Wayville Showgrounds to scoop up one of the many iconic Bertie Beetle showbags and limited edition items.
Long-standing show attendee Penny McMillan said this year’s retro packaging and limited edition items sent her back to her childhood when she used to come to the Show with her family.
“The Bertie Beetle has been around since I was a little girl, so it is pretty cool to see the old showbags… being here and seeing them all is pretty surreal,” she said.
Show-goers can expect to see a multitude of limited edition items at this year’s Royal Adelaide Show, including the original design Bertie Beetle tin, camping cups, socks, and even a Bertie Beetle printed bucket hat.
Show attendee Jan McMillan said she appreciates how the Bertie Beetle showbag is designed for the whole family to enjoy and how each year it never disappoints.
“We have bought four of the Bertie Beetle showbags this year,” she said.
“I even have one for my grandson which has a soccer ball in it, it just shows that the Bertie Beetle is for everyone.
“When we don’t know which showbag to bring home for the family we always end up with a Bertie Beetle, you can’t go wrong.”
Another confectionary item taking a trip down memory lane this year is the infamous FruChocs.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Menz have brought back their original FruChocs packaging from 1948 which is featured on all 150g bags in a classic orange and white striped design.
Being named an official ‘Icon of South Australia’ by the National Trust and inducted into the Family Business Hall of Fame in 2005 is something many of the FruChocs staff are proud to represent.
Manager of the Glynde FruChocs store, Alice Jeffrey, said the anniversary has been a great way to celebrate the local South Australian delicacy and its rich history.
“It’s such an iconic brand for South Australia and this year we have even introduced retro merchandise to celebrate the occasion,” she said.
“It has been so nice to see people at the show interact with our brand in a new way, whether that be wearing our retro bucket hat, socks and beanie, or buying a showbag with our original packaging on it… the show feels very special this year with multiple brands celebrating big milestones.”
With the Royal Adelaide Show running until Sunday, September 10, there are only three more days to get your hands on a slice of sweet South Australian history.
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