Writer's claims upset Pub Crawlers | Fraser Coast Entertainment | Events, Movies and TV Guide for Fraser Coast

The pink gods and goddesses which included Steve, Katie, Britney, Jake, Amy, Nicholas and Erin, helped break records at the Royal Hotel.

Alistair Brightman

Poll

Is the World's Greatest Pub Crawl a 'binge-drinking extravaganza'?

This poll ended on 30 November 2009.

Yes

53%

No way!

46%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

FREELANCE travel writer Rob Dunlop has upset another pub crawl veteran after claiming half Maryborough's residents are not fans of the event.

Councillor Anne Nioa called for Mr Dunlop to explain who his sources were and why he called the World's Greatest Pub Crawl a “binge drinking extravaganza”.

Now, five-year member of the organising committee, Clay Clayton, is asking for answers as well.

Mr Clayton wanted to assure Mr Dunlop his comments in Brisbane's Sunday Mail last weekend could not have been further from the truth.

He insisted the event was not about drinking but about breaking a world record, having fun and coming together in a weekend of exciting entertainment in a festival atmosphere.

“Some people that would never normally step into a pub do so on this day because they want to join together as a community to be a part of achieving something great.”

The event injected much needed funds into the community during tough times, he said, and helped some hotels from shutting down.

“The World's Greatest Pub Crawl is not produced by a group of pub-goers. It is produced by a professional committee that invests over six months of attending meetings with an extensive amount of planning involved.

“Our primary focus is producing a safe and responsible event.”

Mr Clayton said organisers did that by promoting non-alcoholic drinks and paying for additional police officers and security staff on the day.

“It would be a shame to allow the small amount of negative comments that we receive about this event to be published as 'half of Maryborough',” he said.

“As a resident of Maryborough, I can assure (Mr Dunlop) that much more than half of the town loves this event.”

The Chronicle has tried to contact Mr Dunlop for three days without success.

An auto-reply from his email account says he is overseas until July 20.

The Sunday Mail has refused to comment except to confirm Mr Dunlop is a freelance writer.

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