The Pitmans Shorthand reads:  "Water is a gift from God, but beer is a concoction of the Devil, don't drink beer" Home | Education & School Info | On-Site Accommodation Sitemap | Functions | Events | News | Goldrush Links Reviews | Bookings | Contact, Details & Location

Furphy Water Tank

Supply and demand The Furphy water cart was the invention of John Furphy and was first made between 1878-1880 in Shepparton, Victoria. No similar article was used in Australia or overseas at that time. The first carts found a ready market in Victoria and the Riverina and eventually found their way into all states. The presence of the cart in military camps in Australia and overseas during the First World War led to the name of Furphy becoming an indelible part of our language. The drivers of the carts were notorious sources of information and gossip for the men as they moved from camp to camp. As could be expected, not all their news was reliable and so it was that the word Furphy rapidly became a synonym for suspect information or rumour. John Furphy was an experienced blacksmith and wheelwright and used a blend of these skills to construct the water tanks. An iron band was shrunk onto the end casting to hold and tightly seal the cylinder or body of the tank, just as an iron tyre was fitted to the wooden body of a wagon wheel.

Furphy Water Cart ~ Circa 1920s

The Cart ends carried interesting advertising and slogans

Good Advertising and interesting slogans The first end castings were plain, followed by the first to have an inscription reading "Furphy" at the top end of the plate. Shortly after this was changed to read "J. Furphy, maker, Shepparton". The value of advertising was recognised and raised lettering listing the products of John Furphy was added. In 1898, John added a short rhyme with a strong message. It read "Good, better, best - never let it rest - till your good is better - and your better best." John's son, William added a Pitman's shorthand inscription in 1920, which translated tells the reader that "Water is the gift of God, but beer is a concoction of the devil, don't drink beer." In 1942 this was changed to read "Water is the gift of God, but beer and whisky are concoctions of the devil, come and have a drink of water" which has since become the more popular, recited version. Also in 1942 William added a modified version of the saying attributed to W M Hughes, the prime minister of Australia, together with an illustration of a stork holding a baby in traditional fashion. The statement, also in shorthand, read "Produce and populate or perish." While these messages are some of the more notable, there have been numerous variations over the years.

More Information More information on the history of the Furphy Farm Water Carts can be found on the Company's web site. Don't miss their book "Made in Shepparton". Congratulations to J. Furphy & Sons for achieving a year 2000 Australian Family Business of the Year Award in the fourth generation and beyond category. Part of the Furphy Cart Display ~ Old Mogo Town

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