Broken Hill’s puddings of hope

Six hundred metres of calico, donated from Queensland. Check.

Currants, raisins, sultanas, 240 kilograms of each. Check

Then there is 120kg of citrus peel, 70kg of breadcrumbs, mixed spices, 280kg of plain flour, 240kg raw sugar, 120kg butter and 360 dozen eggs, to be exact. 

That rounds up the shopping list for the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) Broken Hill Women’s Auxiliary Christmas pudding bake.

For two weeks every October, a team of 26 led by the women’s auxiliary make Christmas puddings that are sent across the nation as part of their fundraising efforts for the RFDS.

It’s a tradition that has been going for 62 years, when 75 puddings were first made in an auxiliary member’s home.

While the recipe has remained the same, the puddings are now made in a hall provided by local mining company Perilya.

Today they use a commercial mixer for beating the eggs and butter, but everything else is still done by hand to make the 1kg puddings.

Last year they distributed 1600 puddings, but this year they expected to make more than 2000 Christmas treats.

Auxiliary president Carol Holden said the recipe was created by “bush women” all those years ago and they “dare not change a thing”.

“It’s was probably a recipe that was handed down by someone’s grandmother, that’s how it usually goes,” Mrs Holden said.

Mrs Holden said the auxiliary was fortunate as many of the ingredients were donated and they purchased locally where they could. “People have been very generous,” she said.

When the donated calico that wraps the puddings arrived weeks ago, Mrs Holden said the material was cut and divided between each member who then took the material home to wash, iron and cut.

Then it’s time to bake. Last Friday everything was set up in the kitchen and on Sunday the fruit was weighed for the early Monday morning start.

At 6am every morning on cooking days Mrs Holden’s husband Ken lights up the 17 old-fashioned coppers used to boil the puddings.

“It’s a tradition and it’s always the same weekend every year we start, the Monday of the October long weekend,” she said.

“We were discussing this week if we should change it, but why change something that works?”

Usually this time of the year it’s hot, but Mrs Holden said it had been lovely weather, which made it easier to cook.

“In the pudding room it’s like a steam bath so this weather has made it easier,” she said.

“It’s such a great chance to get together, not only for a good cause, but there's no shortage of laughter as stories are swapped from days of old.”

For two generations Sarah Siemer’s family at One Tree Station, north of Broken Hill, has relied on the RFDS.

“We have used the RFDS a couple of times over the years and it’s nice to know they are just a phone call away,” Mrs Siemer said, who has been volunteering to help make the puddings for a decade.

“With my children and grandchildren still on the property it’s still important to support the Flying Doctors.”

Royal Flying Doctor Service south eastern section marketing and fundraising manager  Andy Moore said since 1987 the auxiliary had raised more than $1.6 million for the RFDS including $90,000 in the past year.

“The Broken Hill Women’s Auxiliary has been supporting the RFDS with energy, enthusiasm and a great deal of hard work for more than 68 years,” Mr Moore said.

“Every year these generous women organise the spectacular Flying Doctor Ball, as well as raffles, street stalls, and of course, the making of their famous RFDS Christmas puddings.

“This week they are working with volunteers from the community to make around 2000 Christmas puddings to be sold in aid of the RFDS.”

Mr Moore said in 2014 the Broken Hill Women’s Auxiliary group was named NSW Volunteer Team of the Year and in the same year an RFDS aircraft was named “Broken Hill Women’s Auxiliary” in their honour.

“Their contribution is the difference between being able to keep our services running and provide vital healthcare to communities in the furthest corners of New South Wales,” he said.