Outside Loos
October 6th 2006 07:40
There seems to be a perception among artists - even modern artists, that if they wish to depict a rural residence, there must be an outside loo (toilet) as part of the scene. These structures have been called such names as "thunderboxes" "rubberdy-dubs' and "dunnies" over the years and while anyone who has ever had to use one on a regular basis will tell you there is nothing romantic about them - they have become part of the rural myth.
O.K. As a child X years ago I can remember the "past the pepper tree- past the chooks- don't let the black cow with the white face leaning over the fence scare you and don't forget to pick up some wood for the fire on the way back" trek. I also remember the wooden structure and wooden toilet seat which cracked when it got old and the paper on a nail...... But only vaguely!
Sure, the next loo was also outside but it was brick with a tin roof and was just fifteen paving slabs from the back door and had a flush that went when you pulled the piece of rope that dangled just above your head and even had paper on a roll!
Occasionally it was fun to sit and open the door a little and look at the stars or to have the dog come in to say hello, but if it was raining or snowing or the wind was howling down the back of your neck - you didn't stay long. In the summer you were joined by one million flies looking for a cool spot to rest, a lizard looking for flies and even a snake - which would give you constipation for a week!
There are still the occasional outside loos on farms. But they are exclusively used by the grubby worker who are not allowed to " bring their dirty boots over my good bathroom tiles". However there is usually either a toilet near the back door, replacing the farmer's special and possibly even an ensuite too.
However there are still a couple of distinct differences to the private toilets in city homes. The water used to flush rural farmhouse loos is often dam water, so may vary in colour from almost clear to a dark muddy orange or creamy white (depending on the colour of the clayin the dam). Try explaining to that teenage city girl with emaculate health habits that yes - everyone HAS flushed the toilet and it is safe to use!
The other difference is that farm loos also have septic tanks. These are usually located about where there is green grass even during a drought or may be discovered when a member of the family decided to bring a front end loader into the yard and crashes through the cement top - but that is another story I will leave to your imagination!
So while artists make the outside loo or "Dunny" into an Australian icon in their paintings, sculptures, little wooden or metal minatures or even in garden scene competitions -such as at this year's Canberra Floriade, just remember they are, on the whole, an item that has thankfully been relegated to the past along with the horse and buggy and kerosene lanterns.
O.K. As a child X years ago I can remember the "past the pepper tree- past the chooks- don't let the black cow with the white face leaning over the fence scare you and don't forget to pick up some wood for the fire on the way back" trek. I also remember the wooden structure and wooden toilet seat which cracked when it got old and the paper on a nail...... But only vaguely!
Occasionally it was fun to sit and open the door a little and look at the stars or to have the dog come in to say hello, but if it was raining or snowing or the wind was howling down the back of your neck - you didn't stay long. In the summer you were joined by one million flies looking for a cool spot to rest, a lizard looking for flies and even a snake - which would give you constipation for a week!
There are still the occasional outside loos on farms. But they are exclusively used by the grubby worker who are not allowed to " bring their dirty boots over my good bathroom tiles". However there is usually either a toilet near the back door, replacing the farmer's special and possibly even an ensuite too.
The other difference is that farm loos also have septic tanks. These are usually located about where there is green grass even during a drought or may be discovered when a member of the family decided to bring a front end loader into the yard and crashes through the cement top - but that is another story I will leave to your imagination!
So while artists make the outside loo or "Dunny" into an Australian icon in their paintings, sculptures, little wooden or metal minatures or even in garden scene competitions -such as at this year's Canberra Floriade, just remember they are, on the whole, an item that has thankfully been relegated to the past along with the horse and buggy and kerosene lanterns.
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I enjoyed your piece about the loos. It reminded me of our days in the same position, up on the snowline in s.e. NSW. I ran the newspaper then in a small village and I remember interviewing the original Dunny Can Man. I even uncoverd the original dunny can cleaning 'shed in my investigative reporting. All good fun and missed now that we are back in suburbia again.
I love the view of your front "yard" - what sweet memories they evoke. I sure hope life turns again and allows us the opportunity to get 'outside' again.
Lilla
envirowarrior
Comment by bumpkin
Surviving Rural Life
Living Rural
Glad I can remind you of early days in journalism and glad you did not forget the Dunny Can man in your reports. Bumpkin.