February 21st, 2025Local town crier officiates at establishment of Parliamentary Friendship Group with Thailand

Hepburn Shire Town Crier, Philip Greenbank, has officiated at the establishment of the “Parliamentary Friendship Group with Thailand” in a special event held this earlier month in Toorak, Melbourne.

The Creswick-based town crier (pictured above, during the event) was invited by the Kingdom of Thailand to officiate at the event that was attended by 300 special guests including representatives from 29 embassies, politicians and many organisations in Victoria that have been involved with the Kingdom of Thailand.

These included Her Excellency Ms Arjaree Sriratanaban, Ambassador to the Kingdom Thailand, Canberra and Mrs Tessa Sullivan OAM, Honorary Consul to the Kingdom of Thailand, Melbourne.

“I opened the evening and then read the proclamation As the Official Town Crier, I now announce the commencement of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Thailand on this day, Monday 3rd February 2025 and acknowledged by all in attendance in the State of Victoria,” Mr Greenbank said in a social media post.

Mr Greenbank, in his post, also said:

“The Parliamentary Friendship Group consists of politicians from all parties and from both State and Federal governments and with Thai’s representation in Australia, to continue the close ties with Thailand.

“Over 300 special guests were in attendance including representatives from 29 embassies, politicians and many organisations in Victoria that have been involved with the Kingdom of Thailand.”

As official town crier for Hepburn Shire since 2015, Mr Greenbank belongs to a formal and unique group of individuals in Australia and worldwide who continue to preserve the town crier tradition dating back to at least 1066 and the Norman conquest of England with William the Conqueror.