Alan Moyse, and his partner Wendy Dickson, moved to the Bega Valley Shire in 2015 following their retirement. Alan was recognised by the Bega Valley Shire Council as their first official Town Crier in May 2016. He had previously been the Town Crier for the Australian Capital Territory from 2011 – again, the first official Town Crier for the ACT.
Alan’s abilities as a Town Crier undoubtedly began as a member of a world-wide medieval re-enactment group (the Society for Creative Anachronism), in which he performed Heralding duties at a number of their functions, at feasts and on the tournament grounds. At a visit to Bunratty Castle in Ireland in 2010, during the medieval feast, some of the other visitors thought that he was part of the show when he rose to formally thank the Lord of the castle for his hospitality! And having kissed the Blarney Stone undoubtedly helps with his Town Crying!!
In the Bega Valley Shire – prior to the Covid outbreak – Alan carried out his role by welcoming cruise ships which dock at the port of Eden, making announcements at local Shows and Fairs around the Shire and any other activities which, in his words, required a mobile, non-electric PA system that rarely breaks down! He has successfully represented Bega Valley Shire at a number of competitions in Australia. With the easing of some of the Covid restrictions, Alan has been gradually getting back into the Town Crier role.