Geelong is set to host an unusual yet educational attraction as the Museum of Modern (f)Art opens its doors once again, offering a humorous and hands-on approach to serious issues in waste management.
Operated by Barwon Water, the museum will be open to the public on Saturday, June 21, from 1:00pm to 2:45pm at 55–67 Ryrie Street. Visitors can access the venue via the Aitchison Place entrance, located behind the Geelong Arts Centre.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about proper sewage practices, using interactive exhibits to highlight what should—and crucially, should not—be flushed down toilets.
Cassie Milner, Acting Head of Communications and Engagement at Barwon Water, said the museum features a variety of engaging elements, including games, crafts, puzzles, a ‘magic’ toilet, and a climbable replica fatberg—a congealed mass of waste commonly found in sewer systems.
“We’ve got a gallery which features toilet seats framing pictures of all sorts of gross things that shouldn’t be flushed,” Milner explained. “It’s a really great environment where people are learning while having fun… and kids, in particular, are taking the messages home and sharing them with adults.”
The museum was first launched in November 2023 in response to a series of fatberg incidents in the Geelong region. According to Milner, interactive play has proven to be a powerful educational tool in shifting public behavior.
“One of the most effective ways to change habits is through hands-on learning,” she said. “This museum does exactly that—allowing people to engage directly with the issues and leave better informed about how their actions impact the sewage system.”
To accommodate school holiday crowds, the Museum of Modern (f)Art will also open during the Term 2 break on July 8, 10, 15, and 17, from 10:30am to 2:30pm.
