This photo originally appeared on Brizbunny soon after being taken in 2011.
A Furphy water tank end spotted at the Kyabram Show – not far from Shepparton where it was cast in 1942.
The Furphy water cart was an early exercise in branding. “Good, better, best – never let it rest – till your good is better – and your better best”. This is something that is used by marketers across a wide range of industries now.
The Pitman shorthand across the middle of the tank says “Water is the gift of God but beer and whiskey are concoctions of the Devil, come and have a drink of water”. The additional Pitman section between Shepparton and the middle band has Billy Hughes slogan “Produce and populate or perish”. This was one of the main concern in Australia in from the mid-1930s until after the end of World War 2.
And of course a furphy has become Australian slang for a story of dubious origins. Whether or not that is related to the water carts is up for debate.
- Aperture: ƒ/13
- Camera: PENTAX K20D
- Focal length: 28mm
- ISO: 200