Hold on for show

GRAND EXHIBITION PLANNED FOR WORLD TOILET DAY NEXT MONTH

There’s no better indicator of the changing flow of history than the backyard dunny.

According to Shepparton Heritage Centre manager Geoff Allemand, the disappearance of the backyard dunny is the surest sign of progress since the invention of toilet paper.

‘‘It all seems a world away. I can vaguely remember visiting my grandparents’ outhouse at Mt Egerton near Ballarat as a child. I can still picture it — and I can still smell it. It stank to high heaven,’’ he said.

With such a vivid experience imprinted in his memory, Geoff is asking people to hold on for World Toilet Day next month when a grand exhibition of everything dunny-related is planned at the heritage centre on the corner of Welsford and High Sts, Shepparton.

He’s now asking people to flush out any toilet mementoes they might have lurking at home and bring them along to the centre before the Dunnies and Chamberpots Exhibition on November 19.

He’s already secured cafe owner Matt Innes-Irons’ collection of chamber pots, several old photos, some bedpans and a ‘‘double dunny’’ built by the desperate fellows of the Kensington Gardens Men’s Shed.

The double dunny also serves as a quirky photobooth for those inclined to share some toilet humour.

Geoff is now holding out for local artists to come up with creative ideas for decorated toilet seats.

He said the dunny show idea came to him during a discussion on dunny cart collectors about a year ago.

‘‘That got me thinking just how much has changed. Now, during COVID we really have to bend our backs to come up with new ideas for people to visit the heritage centre,’’ he said.

‘‘The chamberpot exhibition is something quirky we hope will draw people.’’

There is a serious side to World Toilet Day, held annually on November 19.

The United Nations-sanctioned event raises awareness about the need for proper sanitation for the 4.2 billion people around the world who live without access to a safe toilet.

● Toilet aficionados and collectors can contact Geoff on 0459 215 205, email geoff@myshepparton.com.au or call in to the Shepparton Heritage Centre, 154 Welsford St , Shepparton, once it reopens after the present lockdown.

Quirky: Kengsington Gardens residents men’s shed members Peter McNamara and Roger Tacey with their double dunny — which also acts as a fun photobooth.

Back in time: A good example of the old backyard dunny. This one is part of Leonie Wilson’s backyard memorabilia collection in Shepparton.

Collector: Shepparton cafe owner Matt Innes-Irons with an example from his chamber pot collection which will be on display next month.

Still standing: Outdoor dunnies at Byrneside from Geoff Allemand’s book Shepp — Its People and Places.