What’s Happening?
Toowoomba Region Ambassador and Town Crier Kevin Howarth has claimed the overall world championship title at the World Town Crier Tournament in Chester, England.
The victory marked Howarth’s first world championship appearance and added the international title to his previous Australian and competition achievements.
Fellow Australian competitor Judy Campbell finished fourth overall.
Why It Matters
Howarth described the victory as his most accomplished performance after competing against leading town criers from several countries.
“This is the ultimate title and the one everyone wants. I’ve been fortunate to win numerous Australian titles and other competitions, but this was an unbelievable moment at my first world championship,” Mr Howarth said.
“It was an extremely high standard of competition with the best of the best criers lining up to entertain the crowd.”
For Howarth, the championship also provided another opportunity to represent the Toowoomba Region internationally.
“I was shocked, humbled and elated. It is an honour to represent the Toowoomba Region, and I love telling people about the great features of our wonderful Region.”
Local Impact
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald said councillors were delighted by Howarth’s international success.
“Anyone who has seen or heard Kevin in full cry knows he is a wholehearted performer,” Mayor McDonald said.
“This is a tremendous reward for his enthusiasm and dedication to his craft.
“We can now proudly introduce him at our events as our latest world champion.”
Howarth serves as both the Toowoomba Region’s Ambassador and Town Crier.
By The Numbers
- Three days of competition made up the World Town Crier Tournament in Chester.
- 25 of the world’s leading town criers competed alongside Howarth at the championship.
- Fourth overall was the finishing position of fellow Australian competitor Judy Campbell.
Zoom In
Howarth said the standard of competition made it difficult to predict the final result.
“The second placegetter was a crier from Belgium who was competing in his second language. Little separated the field and I was unsure how I was faring when various category prizes were awarded to fellow criers.
“I nudged a fellow crier forward ahead of the major award announcement believing he had won the title. This added to my surprise when my name was announced as the overall world champion.”
Competitors came from Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Alderney and England, alongside the Australian competitors.
Zoom Out
The world championship adds to Howarth’s previous success in Australian titles and other town crier competitions.
However, Howarth described the Chester victory as the ultimate title and his most accomplished performance.
The win also gives the Toowoomba Region an internationally recognised champion serving as its Ambassador and Town Crier.
What To Look For Next?
Howarth will return to his role representing the Toowoomba Region following his world championship success.
Mayor McDonald said the title will now become part of Howarth’s introduction at local events.
“We can now proudly introduce him at our events as our latest world champion.”