Funny Dunnies (Toilets)
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
March 18, 2007 2:41am CST
Every second year in Winton, an outback town in Queensland, a dunny derby is held.
It is hosted by Ettamoga Pub, famous for the truck on it's roof.
In this event, a bunch of "fair dimum larrikans" do the outhouse (toilet) race. This is no lark - 20 outback outhouses race a 250 metre track, each with a jockey in the bowl, pulled by a team of four. The Derby is called by a professional race caller, jockeys must be weigghed, and off the track, bets are hedged, fashion is flaunted and much champagne drunk.
There are also keg- lifting contests, pie-eating marathons, and a "cooee" competition.
Article noted from New Idea magazine, nov. 2006*See photo.
3 people like this
5 responses
@Willowlady (10657)
• United States
18 Mar 07
This sounds like so much fun. It struck me odd that they drink Champagne. What is cooee? Good times had by many and a way to spend a day outdoors. I would love to be able to see this one day. I am afraid that if I came to Australia I would want to stay. Thanks for sharing this with Mylot.
3 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
19 Mar 07
Cooee is a long, piercing sound one can make... cup your hands to the sides of your mouth, and call out the sound "cooee". make it a long sound. Do it outside.
Cooee was the sound outback people used to contact one another in the old days, as there was no other method of communication. It kind of echoes, and can carry a long way.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
18 Mar 07
Oh, this is so funny, I would love to see this someday. I've heard of bathtub races, and bed races but never toilet races. I've also learned a new word, dunnies, think I'm going to start something new in my house in the US :)
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
18 Mar 07
Here in Minnesota at the Univeristy they have the same type outhouse races. Then later in the year the medical college has their hospital bed races. The bed on wheels. One lying in the bed holding on 4 people pushing. Its hilarious. Both races are usually about a 500 to 1000 foot race. Thanks for the memories. LOL
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
19 Mar 07
No, I have never been as it is thousands of kilometres from where I live.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
18 Mar 07
That sounds like a great way to spend some time. What a hoot! Have you been to one?
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
19 Mar 07
No, I haven't been to one as it is thiousands of kilos away from where I live. Would sure like to though.
1 person likes this
