The biscuit, preserved from the Boer War, is worked into a small piece of art that features a photograph and ribbons woven about the baked treat.

War Heritage Roadshow project manager and conservator Sophie Lewincamp said the biscuit was among the brilliant and unexpected finds unearthed on the first day of the state regional event, which launched in Ballarat on Wednesday.

“The family brought (the biscuit) here in really good condition,” Ms Lewincamp said. “What we need to think about as conservators are all the materials – and this one was a challenge as a multi-material piece, including acid-free tissue paper and padding for textiles.

“...We’re hoping to give everyone who comes ways they can look after their stuff – we’re not looking for donations, but it’s helping people to know when it’s appropriate to seek a conservator.

“The main thing we want people to know is never to give up on an artifact.”

The two-day stop in Ballarat, which continues At Art Gallery of Ballarat on Thursday, drew a strong showing on the back of Anzac Day.

RAAF Point Cook museum director and military historian David Gardner was on hand with conservator specialists from University of Melbourne’s Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation.

Inspired by Antiques Roadshow, observer tickets were also available for collection care workshops and to watch others learn about their artifacts.

Some people produced suitcases full of family war memorabilia. Others put forward smaller finds, like the diary of a Ballarat WWI solider, punctuated with a bullet hole and with pages unopened for decades.

Ballarat’s Julie Brusaschi created a buzz with ‘sweetheart badges’ her father had sent home to her mother. 

“I didn’t realise there would be so much interest in them,” Ms Brusaschi said.

“I had all these items and was just hoping I was keeping them the correct way but know I’m finding out more stories about how they were made and that they were handmade – I thought one was just off Dad’s uniform.”

The roadshow will roll-out through to September. Experts will not value items and no weapons are allowed. Details: http://arts.unimelb.edu.au/grimwadecentre/engagement/war-heritage- roadshow-2017.