The Range News is Maleny's premium Weekly Newspaper delivered each Friday
to the People of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland from Glasshouse to
Kenilworth and west to Peachester.

Local spruker the best of
the best in Australia

by Cameron Outridge

Hear ye. Hear ye! Maleny’s John Stevenson has been named champion Senior Town Crier of Australia.

He was also named also best dressed town crier overall at the Australian Town Crier Championships at Southport.   “I used to make my living, back in England, as a floor layer but I’ve always been a show off,’’ he said.

Although John lives in Maleny and makes regular appearances there, he is actually the official town crier for Maroochy Shire.

“You don’t get paid for being a town crier but if you love where you live and you like telling people about it then it’s a good job.” John’s career started years ago in Redcliffe when he was called on to be the crier in their annual first settlement re-enactment.   “I used to do a bit of entertaining and they needed somebody so I volunteered.”  

Since then he has never looked back.   “It’s my 14th year as town crier. I’ve been up here for nine years.  “I’m a founding member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Australian Town Criers.

The Guild goes back to 17th century England.”

John Stevenson, Australia’s Senior Town Crier champion makes regular appearances at events across the Range.