Town crier championships in Canberra gathering competitors around the country

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Back home now it's an ancient role that was crucial for spreading news and information. But these days, town criers have a mostly ceremonial remit. That hasn't stopped a passionate few from persisting with the craft and going head-to-head with others at the annual town crier championships in Canberra.

Transcript

00:00While times have certainly changed, town criers can't help but draw a crowd.

00:11Gathered in Canberra for the annual championships,

00:17competitors were vying to beat last year's record of 96 decibels.

00:22That's a little louder than a lawnmower,

00:25and louder still than the bagpipes emanating from the day's other entertainment.

00:31Truly paradise, on the doorstep!

00:34A booming voice, however, is only one part of the craft.

00:39A good town crier is one that can craft a cry.

00:42You need to do your cry between 100 and 125 words.

00:47It must commence with three o'yays,

00:49and it finishes with either God Bless Australia or God Save the King.

00:53It was a blustery day in more ways than one.

01:02Unfortunately, the wind really got up and took my breath away and just dried me out,

01:07so it was really difficult to get the end of my first cry.

01:10Second cry, I think we were all a bit more relaxed, the wind was a bit more favourable,

01:14and I was able to deliver the way I like to deliver.

01:18Clear, audible to all, and a lot of fun.

01:22I got hit in the back with the flying pergola, but yeah, the wind blows in your mouth and dries you out.

01:28A little bit of a handicap.

01:29But volume isn't the only criteria.

01:32If what they say isn't exactly what was provided to judges, they'll lose points.

01:37The seven competitors from as far afield as Toowoomba now have to wait for judges to determine the winner.

01:44God bless Australia! God Save the King!

01:49God Save the King!

01:50An ancient tradition and an enduring passion.

01:53God Save the King!

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01:57God Save the King!

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