Donnybrook - the ugliest town in Australia but not any more
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325793)
Rockingham, Australia
February 29, 2020 1:48am CST
In 1994, small-town-renewal expert, Peter Kenyon, named Donnybrook, which is our nearest small town, the ugliest town in the nation. This month, Kenyon returned and was very impressed with the changes that had taken place.
Locals were upset with the moniker bestowed on their town but turned it to their advantage. They created an ‘ugly town’ day, sold ugly burgers and had T-shirts printed with suitable wording.
However, they also formed a Chamber of Commerce and set to work to create a now much prettier town. One of the attractions is the Apple Fun Park, touted as the largest free-entry playground in Australia. With more and more people bringing their children to the playground, enterprising locals saw the need for more coffee shops and eating places to cater for the increased numbers visiting the town.
The main street now showcases local products and cottage crafts. Most agree that Peter Kenyon did Donnybrook a big favour with his 1994 harsh criticism of the town.
25 people like this
27 responses
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Feb 20
What a colorful playground! I work in the parks and recreation profession, and we have long advocated that quality parks do more than anything else to improve the local community. I am lucky that I live in a city that values its park system, which has contributed greatly to our quality of life. I hope Donnybrook continues to improve its image and become a beautiful little town!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Mar 20
@JudyEv The playground was a good catalyst for economic growth in Donnybrook.
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Mar 20
@JudyEv Where do you live in relationship to Donnybrook? It appears that there are many state forests around the town.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Mar 20
Yes, very true. The criticism has resulted in a great deal of improvements.
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
4 Mar 20
@JudyEv
They turned something that was marked as being ugly into something good. We have a city in the south here that was desert and now it is blooming and a real city, but, is suffering like other cities close to the border of Gaza with missiles aiming for them and having to go into shelters a lot.
1 person likes this
@sw8sincere (5204)
• Philippines
29 Feb 20
Looks like the kids would really have so much fun in this playground. 
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
1 Mar 20
it's just like that movie, field of dreams - if you build it, they will come.
yes, people would expect benches, parking, restrooms and food places.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Mar 20
You really need to have a 'vision' in a way. Who would have thought so much benefit would come from a playground. We are in the middle of vineyards, orchards and vegetable gardens so people buy their fresh vegetables and fruit here now too.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
1 Mar 20
@JudyEv that's a great domino effect - a win-win all around.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 20
@hereandthere Yes. As it said, it's made a huge difference to the town.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
29 Feb 20
Yes, that is an odd moniker for a town but I guess people are not that sensitive anymore. With a little humor that ugly town tag can be used to their advantage.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
1 Mar 20
@JudyEv if I lived there, I wouldn't be offended by the ugly tag. It is actually a kind of novelty to me.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 20
@Alexandoy I wonder if he has labelled another town as 'ugly'. I think it was just a throwaway remark but then the papers got hold of it.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
29 Feb 20
Aw, I wonder what made it "ugly" before
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
1 Mar 20
@JudyEv Nice, you're right he did do the town a big favor in inspiring them to improve
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
29 Feb 20
He probably did not intend to give the town such a rejuvenation. But lo and behold, it seems he did. I am glad the town DID something about it and capitalized on it instead of just saying ptuey on him and letting the town sink into the annals of ugly town history.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
29 Feb 20
if we each do a little, we can accomplish a lot!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
1 Mar 20
@JudyEv I wonder what the ugliest town in Maryland is...
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73444)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Mar 20
Sounds like a lot of progress has been made and it is now an interesting place to visit
1 person likes this
@Iam_jauntyjen (4951)
•
29 Feb 20
They took the comment as constructive criticism.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Mar 20
Yes, it upset them enough that they got busy and have now made it a very attractive town.
