By ALANA MITCHELSON
A GROUP of local parents will simultaneously change their babies’ cloth nappies next Saturday in an effort to break a world record.
Mother of three Victoria McInnes brought the international Great Cloth Diaper Change (GCDC) event to Australia in 2011, which aims to set a new record each year for the most nappies changed within a 24-hour period.
In an Australian first, this year’s only Victoria-based event will be held in Pakenham, led by Ms McInnes and Kooweerup resident Kershel Elliott.
Last year, 7441 people were involved across 18 countries and six continents. This year there will be 227 GCDC events in 19 countries including Belgium, the United States, Great Britain, Japan and South Africa, with four events taking place in Australia.
More than two billion used nappies go into landfill sites in Australia each year and over 95 per cent of Australian parents use disposable nappies, according to recent figures.
“The current world record is 10,029, which we set in 2013,” Ms McInnes said.
“We’re holding this year’s event in Pakenham to bring local awareness to the many benefits of using modern cloth nappies and to gather cloth nappy lovers from around Cardinia, Gippsland and the Bass Coast to take part in a fun event connecting cloth nappy users from all around the world.
“Parents may arrive with their baby in either a disposable or a cloth nappy. But all babies must be changed into a 100 per cent reusable cloth nappy.
“It is not a race but all participants begin the change at the same time. Then we submit our local results and wait to hear whether a world record has been broken.”
An official photo will be taken before and after the change for photographic evidence. No photos or videos are permitted to take place during the change itself to protect the privacy of all participating babies, she said.
“GCDC originated as a small event in America to promote cloth nappies,” Ms McInnes said.
“It went from what was a local event to an international annual event that continues to grow every year.”
A craft market and kids activities will run from 9.30am on 23 April at the Pakenham Library Hall, with the GCDC due to take place at 11am. Participants are asked to arrive at 10.30am.
The first 10 people who bring a friend along to register and participate, who would normally use disposable nappies, will receive a gift.
All profits from the craft market will go to the Australian Nappy Association and towards raising cloth nappy awareness.
Ms McInnes said that those wishing to register could search “Pakenham GCDC” on eventbrite.com.au for more information.
