Durba Dunny Reconstruction Party

Durba Dunny Reconstruction Party Flushed with Success.

April 2008 brought the sad news that the toilet that Track Care WA had constructed in 1998 at Durba Springs had been burned and was no longer operational.

The project committee headed by Jeff Hemsley immediately began discussing its reconstruction which was ultimately programmed in for April 2009. TCWA was greatly assisted by photos and a report by a group of travellers on the CSR that included builders and engineers. From this information a plan was created and it was decided the new dunny would have a 1cu metre waste bin to effect easier removal of the waste. This would require the building to be raised 900mm to allow access for the waste trailer that was designed and constructed by Des Bunter. The building would also acquire a new steel floor, 2 new toilet pans and doors, a new larger lean-to with gates for the waste trailer and all new cladding.

A comprehensive material list was put together by Russell Bessen, Jeff and Des. Due to the large scale of the project Nick Underwood sought and received a financial donation from the Department of Planning & Infrastructure to cover the material expenses of the reconstruction. Our thanks to Murray Raven for his assistance in this matter. A large group of volunteers came forward to assist with the reconstruction. All was well with the planning.

In November 2008, TCWA was informed that the Traditional Owners would like the toilet relocated to a less sensitive site at Durba Springs. This new site was agreed to by Martu representatives Billy Patch and Arthur Samson who had accompanied Ken Leighton from Landgate to Durba earlier in the season. This relocation expanded the dimension and complexity of the project. However, undaunted, the plans, materials and equipment were revised to complete the larger task.

It was with great relief that we were able to set out for Durba on Monday 6th April 2009, on schedule, as planned so many months before.

The two day trip to Jigalong was fun and uneventful apart from the springs on one trailer breaking from the chassis. This was hastily repaired in the Jigalong workshops by Des. Here we met the Jigalong Rangers, a newly formed group of local aborigines comprising two elders and one young man, Arthur Samson, Timmy Paterson and Neville Paterson. The group was headed by Harry Thorman as the group leader.

The convoy of volunteers in 11 vehicles left Jigalong after lunch on Thursday 9th April, heading east on the Puntawarri Track across the Little Sandy Desert. After arriving at Durba Springs on Friday afternoon, the camps were set and materials and equipment unloaded. The water level at Durba was very low and definitely not fit for human use, but there would be enough for mixing the concrete. Discussion with the aboriginal elders regarding the location of the new toilet and the four bbqs was finalised.

Saturday morning saw the work begin in earnest, with the old building stripped of cladding and all damaged material. Both the top and bottom sections of the building, and the steps, were moved to a shady spot for restoration and modification. The top section was scraped and painted, while the lower section received leg extensions to accommodate the new waste bin trailer. New floor joist were also required as most of the existing ones were warped from the intensity of the fire. Holes for the new structure were surveyed and digging commenced in the new location. Thank goodness for Steve’s jack hammer. A wonderful days work and everyone was exhausted as the work was hard and the temperature and humidity high.

Easter Sunday arrived to the gaiety of the Easter Bunnies, in the form of Steve and Maria, hopping around the campsite delivering easter eggs to everyone. A most welcome light relief from our demanding project.

After completing the holes, the base framework was moved into position for tipping over into its final position exactly as planned. With much rejoicing after the heavy steps were maneuvered into position and bolted to the base. The new chequer plate floor was then fixed to the floor, before the whole structure had a final level for concreting in. The Rangers were a great help mixing the cement and also barrowing it into all the footing holes. Unfortunately the old mixer could not keep up with the demanding pace and gave up the ghost after several hours of punishing work.

On Monday the Traditional Owners moved out after providing valuable assistance with the project and an insight into what they would like to see in regards the promotion of their traditional lands.

The main task this day was to raise the top section onto the base. Because of Peter’s dexterity with both the steel and paint brushes this section looked almost as good as new. After positioning next to the base frame, the top was winched up making the delicate operation look quite easy with the assistance of Ben’s winch. Once in position this was bolted through the steel floor to the base. A momentous occasion as this completed the most demanding part of the project and it was great to adjourn to the campsite for some of Brenda’s oven bake scones to celebrate.

During the afternoon the push was on to secure the cladding as a large contingent of volunteers were travelling out to the Calvert Ranges the next day. Thanks to Ben who climbed the lofty height to install the roof. While the men assisted at the toilet site the women cleaned up the old toilet site and assisted with the installation of the bbqs and then cleaned up all the old fire places. With the men’s assistance several trailers of ash were removed from the area.

Signs of fatigue and illness were starting to show with Des becoming very ill that afternoon and many others having the beginnings of tropical sores and general unwellness.

With a reduced working group on Tuesday and Wednesday the toilet doors were constructed as well as the lean-to and gates, in extreme heat. Des, still unwell, installed the toilet pans, the plumbing and the venting. Many frustrating hours were spent trying to repair the cement mixer but to no avail and all the remaining cement for the steps and the bbqs had to be done by hand. The Calvert Range explorers returned after a wonderful trip carrying injuries and illness, however very grateful for having had the opportunity to visit this interesting area. One of the party received the unwelcome news of the passing of a very dear friend and needed to make preparations to leave. Wednesday night, however, brought rain consistently for about 12 hours. This delayed their plans to leave until Friday.

With the final push on Thursday, the toilet cladding and flashing were completed, signs installed, ramp cemented and general site cleanup done. All the demolished building materials and all our tools and equipment were loaded onto the trailers for the trip north in the morning.

Charles and Patricia left early as they wanted to reach Georgia Bore in one day. After a group photo in front of the completed toilet, we farewelled the site after a week of hard labour and headed north. Because of the rain, the track was firm with no dust, and made for an enjoyable journey. That evening we camped in a lovely spot amongst the desert oaks south of Lake Disappointment.

Saturday afternoon we arrived at Georgia Bore after a very easy crossing of a dry Savory Creek.

After setting camp, Jeff replaced the wire rope on the dunny hoist and unpacked the repaired conveyor mechanism. The sides of the buried pit had compressed and these required steel reinforcement with wire strainers, all ultimately cemented in, before the trolley could be removed and the pit emptied by hand. Ben thankfully volunteered to climb down into the pit with bucket and shovel for this very unpleasant and hot task. With the pit empty Jeff climbed down to reinstall the mechanism. After much maneuvering it was finally bolted into place below the toilet bowl.

Before leaving for Newman on Sunday, cement was mixed to assist with the reinforcing of the sides and the volunteer donation sign was fixed to the toilet. It became apparent that the mechanism was still not working correctly, and this time Des climbed into the abyss to retrieve the part, which apparently had suffered a little during the journey. This was quickly rectified and reinstalled.

As we left Georgia Bore it was nice to reflect that all the work that we set out to achieve had been completed. It had been a very trying trip because of many factors, not least the fact that every evening threatened rain and many of the group had illness, septic sores and other injuries, many ultimately requiring hospital visits.

The last activity to be completed was in Newman when Merv and Jeff installed the volunteer donation sign to the sign shelter on Marble Bar Road that had been installed in May 2008.

Our sincere thanks to all the volunteers for the great effort, commitment and sacrifice endured to make the Durba Springs Dunny Reconstruction Project 2009 a great success.

This wonderful workforce included Ben Blomfield, Russell Bessen, Merv & Elizabeth Bradshaw, Des & Jan Bunter, Ross & Maureen Campbell, Ray Carter & Glen, Ken & Iris Hart, Jeff & Lyn Hemsley, Charles & Patricia Miller, Bob Stevenson & Brenda Black, Peter & Ria Stolp and Steve Weeks & Maria Rutjens and also Arthur Samson, Timmy Paterson, Neville Paterson and Harry Thorman