Particularly for those considering travel plans throughout the upcoming school holidays, the Continence Foundation of Australia have announced the next Great Dunny Hunt competition in support of the many Australians struggling with incontinence. 

Australians are being urged to make contributions and updates to National Public Toilet Map website or app, with the competition running from 29 March to the end of World Continence Week on 16 June 2024. And speaking of running – this initiative may also prove a lifesaver for holidaymaking long-distance runners suffering with stress urinary incontinence pounding new-found pavements! 

Over five million Australians currently live with incontinence. Alarmingly, this number is anticipated to reach approximately 6.5 million by 2030. Furthermore, elite athletes such as runners are three times more susceptible to experiencing stress urinary incontinence primarily due to excessive pelvic floor pressure. 

One recent study revealed that almost half of the participants did not feel comfortable hitting the road without reliable information regarding public toilet locations. Therefore, keeping information regarding public toilets location and accessibility across the nation current is crucial for enabling Australians to go about their daily business with confidence, particularly when holidaying and nearby toilets may otherwise be an unknown. 

To reduce the number of Australians struggling with anxieties of getting caught short during the upcoming school holidays and beyond, holidaymakers and local public loo inspectors are encouraged to upload details such as location, access hours and supplied amenities, with the option to include an accompanying image. Alongside the feel-good knowledge that all contributions may help fellow Australians feel confident in hitting the road on holiday and foot, participants uploading a new listing or updating an existing entry are in the running to win one of three $500 EFTPOS vouchers upon completion of a short survey. 

Sean Burford, crowned Australia’s Greatest Dunny Hunter in 2022 for submitting over 130 locations to the National Public Toilet Map, took glory in the rewarding experience of uncovering rural Australian spots. “Both Toilet Map and other resources have some misplaced or out of date dunnies. Once I had a location, I would research it to determine there was really a dunny there. I spent a fair bit of time in Google Street View. Council and Government websites were also great source for checking the facilities, hours and access requirements for a dunny. Websites catering to travellers would often have photos or reviews with more information.”

“This turned each lateral/longitudinal coordinate into a story about each place, whether it was the most scenic toilet in Australia or perhaps a prime example of why one state’s toilets were better than those just across the border on the same highway. It sounds like a fair bit of work, but once I was familiar with the various websites, it would take about five minutes to get a good feel for each spot.”

Recipient of the 2018 Rodney Warmington Churchill Fellowship, Katherine Webber, stresses the importance of inclusive and accessible public toilets in fostering community participation.

Webber’s research emphasises the vital role public toilets play in supporting health, economic development and tourism. Webber advocates for comprehensive planning and government oversight to ensure equitable outcomes in public toilet provision. Photos of many toilets Webber has visited are documented via Instagram @Public_Toilets_Anonymous. 

So, why not visit a public toilet or two yourself to help relieve the pressure experienced by many Australians these holidays? Support the Great Dunny Hunt by contributing to the National Public Toilet Map between 29 March 29 and 16 June 2024. Visit www.continence.org.au/great-dunny-hunt and www.toiletmap.gov.au for more information.

How do Kiama public toilets stand up being scrutinised for the public by the public? Personally, I would like to see some of our local artists be commissioned to make our toilets more memorable with appropriate artwork. We then could become a positive talking point on the Great Dunny Trail!