Full Breakdown
Canberra Town Crier Sets New Guinness Record for Loudest Shout
6/25/2026, 1:49:27 AM
Core Event: Record-Breaking Shout
On 2 May 2026, Joseph McGrail-Bateup, a 58-year-old honorary town crier from Canberra, produced a single-word shout measured at 122.4 decibels (dB). The word “now” was captured in a Canberra radio studio by a professional acoustic engineer with witnesses present. The audio files were submitted to Guinness World Records, which confirmed the achievement on Friday, naming McGrail-Bateup the holder of the world’s loudest individual shout. The previous benchmark of 121.7 dB had been set in 1994 by Northern Ireland schoolteacher Annalisa Flanagan, who shouted “quiet.”
Background & Role: Town Crier and Prior Records
McGrail-Bateup works as a professional air-conditioner cleaner and was appointed Canberra’s official town crier in 2017. The part-time, honorary position, created by the local government, involves making announcements at community events, school fetes, and car shows. Membership in the Ancient and Honorable Guild of Australian Town Criers led him to win the 2024 guild competition for the loudest “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez” at 98 dB. He previously broke a Guinness archery speed record in 2019 (60.03 seconds for ten arrows), a record later surpassed by a 7-year-old boy.
Key Figures & Organizations
- Joseph McGrail-Bateup – Honorary town crier, air-conditioner cleaner, Guinness record-holder.
- Annalisa Flanagan – Northern Ireland schoolteacher, former record-holder for the loudest female shout.
- Guinness World Records – Certifying body that verified the 122.4 dB measurement.
- Ancient and Honorable Guild of Australian Town Criers – Professional association preserving ceremonial crier roles.
Data & Statistics
- Record shout: 122.4 dB (comparable to a chainsaw, a jet aircraft taking off, or an ambulance siren at close range).
- Previous record: 121.7 dB (Flanagan, 1994).
- Guild competition “Oyez” record: 98 dB (2024).
- Archery speed record: 60.03 seconds for ten arrows (2019).
Official Statements & Responses
McGrail-Bateup explained that the feat could not be rehearsed; he required a single day of focus and made seven attempts before achieving the final “now.” The effort left his voice hoarse for several days, which he described as “terrible” but “a lot of fun.” He emphasized respect for Flanagan’s standing record, noting she remains the loudest woman while he holds the male title. Regarding future challenges, he expressed enthusiasm, stating that records are meant to be broken and that any successor would be welcomed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There’s no way that you can actually practice for it. You have to just keep it for the day, especially with the world record attempt,” — Joseph McGrail-Bateup, Honorary Town Crier
- “It took me seven attempts just for one word, which was the word ‘now,’ and my voice was shot for the next couple of days as well. It was husky. It was terrible. So no, you can’t really practice for it. But it’s a lot of fun when you’re doing it,” — Joseph McGrail-Bateup
- “I’m pleased that she (Flanagan) gets to keep her record. So she’s still the loudest woman in the world and I’m the loudest male in the world,” — Joseph McGrail-Bateup
- “If someone beats me, that’s fantastic,” — Joseph McGrail-Bateup
What’s Next
Guinness World Records will monitor any subsequent attempts to surpass the 122.4 dB mark. McGrail-Bateup plans to continue his ceremonial duties as “Lord Joseph” and remains open to future challenges, reinforcing the spirit of competitive record-setting.
