Story by Rhylea Thompson

Whether your treat of choice is a Choc Ripple, Monte Carlo, Scotch Finger or Mint Slice, Arnott’s biscuits have been treasured by Australians for decades.

For Seasons resident John York, working as a painter at the iconic Brisbane factory was nothing short of a dream come true, likening it to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

After completing his apprenticeship in England, John immigrated to Australia and found the Arnott’s job advertised in the newspaper in 1979.

“When I walked in for the interview, I saw six other painters waiting and I actually knew two of them,” he said.

“One of them saw me and said ‘well you are more experienced than me John so I won’t bother’ but I told him to stop being silly and give it his all during the interview.”

It turns out the tradesman had a point – John got the job and ended up working there for more than 15 years.

To honour his tenure at Arnott’s, John received a collection of memorabilia, including a miniature Arnott’s truck replica and limited-edition pens, among other specialty items.

COLOURFUL CAREER: Seasons Living resident John York has opened up about working as a painter at the Arnott’s Factory. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

On his first day at the large two-storey biscuit factory on Coronation Drive, John recalls looking out the window and seeing the Brisbane River.

“I’d never seen so many biscuits – and women – in all my life,” John said.

“About 130 women were working on the conveyor belts and when I walked in they were all staring at me and saying things like ‘it’s nice to see a new face!’, ‘are you married?’, ‘if I was 15 years younger…’.

“My supervisor told me not to take any notice of them, but that’s easier said than done.”

In charge of painting the entire factory, as well as its ovens, racks and equipment, John was always kept busy and even got spoken to by his supervisor for working ‘too hard’.

Using a specialty paint for the appliances, John would often need to paint the oven at unusual hours as if it was cooking biscuits and was too hot, the paint would just strip off.

The painter was even appointed to the highest honour – personally painting the house of the Arnott’s family.

COLLECTOR’S ITEM: Arnott’s gifted each employee a limited edition three-piece toy vehicle, to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary, which Seasons resident John York still cherishes to this day. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

With strict instructions not to get the smallest flicker of paint on any of the biscuits, John would be fully equipped in long overalls and hair nets and all biscuits would be checked meticulously before being boxed.

John proudly boasts that in 15 years, he never got the smallest drip of paint on the old timber floors.

Staff were later relocated to a new factory on the other side of Brisbane’s CBD after the 1974 floods destroyed the lower section of the warehouse and thousands of dollars worth of stock.

Throughout his painting career, John painted houses, churches, hospitals, banks and post offices, but the retiree said nothing compared to the satisfaction and appreciation he received at the iconic biscuit factory.

“From the first day I worked there, I said my prayers and thanked the Lord for giving me that job,” John said.

“When I experienced some personal challenges, the son from Arnott’s came to visit me just to check in and reassure me that my job was safe… how many companies do that?

“I honestly cannot praise the people and the company enough – they were the kindest people who were there for me when I needed it most… I was so lucky I got to work there.”

Throughout his career, John was also in charge of guiding apprentices and taking them under his wing.

One of his favourite apprentices was a young man named Billy who was originally from Papua New Guinea.

TRADE SECRETS: Former Painter John York worked at the Arnott’s biscuit factory for more than 15 years. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

“Billy was very intelligent and he left a great impression on me,” John said.

“He wanted to be a painter because he loved nothing more than standing back after a project to see the finished product.

“Plus, the ladies at the factory loved him!”

Every Christmas for 20 years after Billy completed his apprenticeship, he would visit John, before he moved back to Papua New Guinea and the pair sadly lost touch.

When the Arnott’s family eventually sold the business, many jobs were no longer required, leading John to start his own painting business, before retiring.

“My phone never stopped ringing until the day I officially retired,” he said.

“I was so sad when it was time (to leave)… it was heartbreaking actually, but I enjoyed every moment – every moment was a prize.”

For his first six months of employment at Arnott’s, John admits his diet consisted purely of biscuits, with upwards of 20 different recipes at the time.

The biscuit connoisseur said while he has had his fair share of biscuits and tea over the years, ‘nothing compared to Arnott’s’ with his personal favourite being the Iced Vovo.