An Honour to meet you, Hills Hoist

Australia has many iconic objects, beginning with Vegemite and Aeroplane Jelly (both of 

which are ironically, and devastatingly foreign owned) there is one icon that stands above the rest, one that came before convenience and dryers.

What am I referring to?

Will many of you recall the Hills Hoist?

You know, the clothesline shaped like a diamond-square concoction that meant more fun to the inner 7 year old than climbing a tree, for it was a swing and a branch in one terribly fun invention.

But other than fuelling kids “dizzy whizzies” it enabled clothes to dry naturally, in the warm summer air with no such thing as electricity costs, though on the other hand I also meant sprinting for the clothes when the rain began to set in, regardless, Hills Hoist, I salute you.

The machine is owned and manufactured by an Australian company, fitting that it was an Aussie invention (the Poms claim they made it first but potato, potato).

Most readers will remember them in their childhood home, or at a friend’s house but not today when apartments are running tight on space or at a university village where LG dryers replace the good old Hills Hoist.

Besides, life was more fun with the clothesline, you know, laughing at the neighbours undies, tighty-whiteys or colourful satin boxer shorts.

With dryers today the fun is gone but also the embarrassment.

After having a childhood with a Hills Hoist and appreciating the rarity that comes with a fully Australian owned and made invention, it was an honour to meet you.