Aussie icons, myths and legends – Floriade 2007

Floriade 2007, Canberra

Our holiday in Canberra

September 2007

The theme of Floriade 2007 in Canberra this year was “Aussie icons, myths and legends.” All of the floral displays related in some way to this theme. One of the more startling and appropriate displays was that shown in the photo above.

The photo shows a vehicle that would be familiar to all Aussies (Australians), especially in the rural areas of the country. A Holden ute (short for “utility”) rusting in the farmyard near the flower garden. In fact, this ute has been utilised to grow flowers in the tray section. Very innovative.

Another Aussie icon stands nearby – the outback dunny. The dunny on every Aussie farm was a distance from the house – perhaps 20 to 50 metres away – to keep the smell from wafting into the homestead. Almost all outback dunnies were of the “long-drop” variety, the wooden seat with a hole cut into it for sitting on over a large deep hole. I remember being terrified as a child of going to the dunny, especially at night. Imagine my relief when my father and older brother constructed the latest convenience under the same roof as the house – and it flushed what’s more!

To more refined people a dunny is known as a toilet. (Bathroom for all my American readers.)

Floriade 2007, Canberra