This post is utterly screwed, but I think the historical aspect of it deserves some viewing. It was written in June, and I don't know why it is so messy. I don't have the stamina to fix it. Publish and be damned.
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Update: Kosov says he needs to use the restroom. I reply, enjoy your rest, Kosov. He will spend half an hour in the rest room, with a bucket of water. I don't know what happens but he never smells bad. Phyllis does the same. They only shower about every third day.
Toilets, private or public is easy to understand. Bathroom where there isn't a bath, washroom where you can't actually wash yourself or wash your clothes is a bit strange. We all use toilets whether they are separate little room or in a bathroom. I remember hearing from a Canadian who was confused about bathroom and ended up in a hotel utility areas with a number of washing machines and clothes dryers.
A public toilet in a town where I spent a couple of years in my youth was known as a Comfort Station. There was nothing comfortable about in the male part at least. It was disgusting.
In Melbourne's early days there weren't public toilets and women had to plan a visit to the city very carefully in case they needed to go.
Warracknabeal is probably best known for a train running down its main street. I am not sure if this happens anywhere else in Australia.
This is a nice story about Warracknabeal's Ladies' Rest Room.
One hundred years ago in the western Victorian town of Warracknabeal, families would come to town from local farms to do their shopping.
The men would buy provisions, then head to the pub to drink with mates and use the toilet.
But their wives, had literally nowhere to “go”, with no public toilets for women. They were not welcome in pubs.
And so, a committee of women from Warracknabeal and hamlets all around, from Brim to Beulah and Bangerang, raised a whopping 680 pounds to build the stately brick Warracknabeal Ladies’ Rest Rooms.
It was opened in 1928 on the main drag called Scott Street. Ninety-five years later, it is still volunteer-run, and is much more than its three loos out the back.
Inside, there are two cosy sitting rooms, with dark wooden wall partitions and high ceilings, ornate sideboards, comfy chairs, sofas and even a portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II over the fireplace.
There are lemons in a bowl, homemade preserves to buy and toys for children. There’s a baby change room, and a kitchen where an untold number of cuppas have been made.
“When you walk in, it does feel like it’s your grandma’s house, always immaculate and so well-kept,” says Shire of Yarriambiack mayor Kylie Zanker.
Zanker, a Warracknabeal resident, is pleased that the restrooms have been recommended for listing on the Victorian Heritage Register.
A report compiled by Heritage Victoria and submitted to the Victorian Heritage Council recommends that the building be recognised for its cultural and heritage significance to the state of Victoria.
“It’s an amazing piece of history, an iconic part of our town,” Zanker said. “We all love the restrooms. I’ve never heard anyone say they’ll not go there.”
“It’s a social meeting place. I have friends who live on farms and their teenage kids will sit in there with their iPads or read books. It hasn’t lost that attraction, to everybody in the community.”
The report says during the 1920s and ’30s, perhaps over 200 women’s restrooms were set up across Australia, of which very few survive.
Then, as now, Warracknabeal’s version is run by volunteers, who pop in to tidy up and chat to visitors. It’s funded by raffles, cake stalls, over 90 locals who pay an annual subscription of $10 each, and by visitors’ $2 gold coin donations.
From the start, men were not allowed in. A historic sign on the wall says: “boys admitted up to age of six years”.
The restrooms are still used mostly by women – except on Easter Saturdays after the town’s annual parade, when men join the long queues for the volunteers’ famous scones with jam and cream.
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Eileen Sholl, president of the Warracknabeal Ladies’ Rest Rooms committee, says that in 2023, it’s sometimes the dad who changes baby’s nappy in the restrooms, while mum goes shopping.
“I’m sure the founding ladies would be horrified that the men can come in and use the changing room,” she said. “It’s a revolutionary change.”
The centre has visitors’ books dating back 95 years. The 2023 visitors’ comments rave about the place.
“So nice to have a warm, comfortable place for baby, to change and feed,” write Chris and May, of Rainbow.
Lauren, from Maldon, says: “My favourite ladies’ restroom in the world. I go out of my way to visit Warracknabeal because of it.”
Lisa, of Kangaroo Ground, simply says: “The most memorable wee I’ve had.”
Sholl, originally from Canada, said the charming building helped her decide to settle in Warracknabeal eight years ago, after her husband, Uniting Church minister Walter Sholl, retired from full-time ministry.
“I thought the restrooms [were] so beautiful and unique. It’s a special place,” Sholl said. “I wanted to get involved in the restrooms to contribute, and meet people.”
The heritage council is expected to decide on the heritage register listing in October. Submissions can be made in the next five weeks at heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au.
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What a fascinating glimpse into Warracknabeal’s Ladies’ Rest Rooms. Proof that even a humble loo can become a cherished piece of social history
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew. I want to visit Warracknabeal now. You write a lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteJudith
Underground Loos were a thing as well . Carlton still has one but don’t know if it is being used now. Spend a penny toilets with a rest room lady in attendance used to be available in major department stores. Did men have the same with a gentleman in attendance? Boys were not allowed in women’s toilets up to a certain age. I hate unisex toilets. Dribblers seem to use them.
ReplyDeleteWarracknabeal ladies you are champions!
Cool idea. A couple of generations the lack of facilities for women was used to keep them out! Governmental buildings, golf clubs, all kinds of opportunities closed. Now I think they're forced to accommodate women. Finally.
ReplyDeleteIt seems women the world over have always had to fight their way to some semblance of equality.
ReplyDeleteThose women did a great job raising funds and building such a great place. I wish all small towns all over Australia could do the same. Adelaide used to have more public toilets than it does now, smallish "double" buildings with men using one side while women used the other. These days such places are only found at the beaches and not even all the beaches.
ReplyDeletePort Pirie still has a train running down its main street, but not the passenger train as in the old days. Now it's the goods train delivering stuffs to the smelters.
I am just back from a road trip through western queensland, from and back to Brisbane. Was so pleasantly surprised at every rest stop, as the toilets were always clean, always paper and handwashing facilities. Even the remote ones that you didn't flush, they were a deep pit.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fascinating piece of history that's still in use today. It just shows what can be achieved with perseverance and imagination.
ReplyDeleteInteresting history of the loo, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteI love this story of the famous ladies' room. I'm old enough to remember the ones tended by an old lady who handed out hot towels and a spritz of perfume. And you 'd tip a shilling or sixpence.
ReplyDeleteXO
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When I first heard the word "Restroom" instead of a toilet, I thought it was a joke ! Who wants to rest on a toilet ? (Besides my grandson with his mobile and before it was books) he stayed there at least half an hour or more. I was surprised that in England end 1990 there were still "restrooms" outside ! I am sure when it is -10°C you prefer to stay inside. Or the little houses where in the garden or on the balcony. In the 19th century most of the people had their "restrooms" outside ! only the nobles and the bourgeois had it inside. In France in the Versailles castle there were no restrooms, people went in a corner to do their business and the staff cleaned it away in the evenings ! Therefore the French invented the parfume.
ReplyDeleteWith a portrait of young Queen Elizabeth II on display, may we deduce that she once did her royal business on one of the thrones inside Warracknabeal Ladies' Rest Rooms? I imagine that monarchs do not wipe their own arses so do you know if it was done by a member of the Ladies’ Rest Rooms committee?
ReplyDeleteA world of English speakers, divided by a common language.
ReplyDeleteI usually say bathroom, even if it lacks a bath -- or occasionally restroom, even if there's nowhere to rest. I never say toilet. It sounds gauche.
ReplyDeleteI say washroom.
ReplyDeleteLove that the ladies got their own and that it continues, Andrew.
I love this glimpse into another time. Imagine being a woman with a bursting bladder waiting for her husband to finish up in the pub. I would have been furious at him.
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating! thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete