Dunny Day

Dunny Day

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Posted 2013-11-25 by Dave Walshfollow

Thu 06 Mar 2014



I must admit that when I first started writing for Weekend Notes I didn't expect to be discoursing about dunnies in Adelaide, although I did manage to slip a section about a toilet into an article about urban exploration in Adelaide .

But after receiving an unusual request from internationally noted surrealist artist Andrew Baines, here is my first article to celebrate the common commode.

It all started with Joe's Kiosk in Henley Beach South, one of the last of the sea front kiosks around Adelaide. It's a very popular place with the coffee clan in the western suburbs, located just down the road from Henley Square, and near where the salt water Henley Pool once stood adjacent to the surf lifesaving club. (Does anyone remember the Bush biscuits they sold at the pool?)

Joe's Kiosk and his coffee is so popular that the lack of nearby toilet facilities became a pressing problem for his customers, and Joe has been campaigning unsuccessfully for many years to get the situation remedied. Despite a tireless campaign Joe's efforts were in vain, until he hit on a new strategy.

With the support of local artist Andrew Baines , a rather unusual beachside protest was staged last year. Rather than marching to demonstrate solidarity with the cause, protest participants staged a sit-in - on dunnies!

Twelve protesters including former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone and Adelaide radio personality Bob Francis dressed in black suits with bowler hats for the occasion. Posed on pristine potties on the beach, the political protesters pleaded and pressed the City of Charles Sturt to install suitable facilities in the local area.

The protest went viral, attracting major media attention in Adelaide and overseas, resulting in the council finally agreeing to plumb in the necessary potties.

On Thursday March 6 at 7am the new toilet at Henley Beach South will be officially opened by Mayor Kirsten Alexander, and the day will be officially designated as .

To celebrate, dozens of volunteers wearing all black and holding toilet rolls aloft in a clenched fist will form a long patient line outside the toilet - another brilliant photo opportunity for our ingenious artist.

If you would like to participate, please email Andrew Baines for more information at [email protected]. It promises to be more fun than any sitting of parliament!



#art
#attractions
#beaches
#child_friendly
#community_events
#family_attractions
#free
#fun_things_to_do
#greater_adelaide
#guides
#henley_beach
#henley_beach -south
#learn_something
#near_adelaide
#south_australia
#things_to_see
#western_suburbs
#december
!date 06/03/2014 -- 06/03/2014
%wnadelaide
125871 - 2023-06-13 02:49:04

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