Duncan Gay media release: Roads Minister congratulates Rotary on Sydney Harbour Bridge flag record.

NSW Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay has congratulated the international Rotary conference on breaking the world record for the most different flags flown on Sydney Harbour Bridge at once.

Minister Gay today visited the Bridge as more than 300 international Rotary members climbed it for the world record attempt which involved flying 219 flags – one each for all the Rotary countries attending the annual conference here in Sydney.

They’ve certainly hit the mark – the last record was 143 set on 27 July 2010.

Mr Gay said it was very exciting 18,000 Rotarians would be spending the next week or so in Sydney for their annual convention – from 1 to 4 June.

“This is a major international event which brings Rotarians from more than 150 countries to our beautiful harbour and surrounds,” Mr Gay said.

“With 340 people spread across the mighty arch today, the Rotarians also broke Oprah’s record of 316 people at one time on the bridge which was set in 2011.

“It is fantastic the Grand Old Dame could play host to such an exciting and colourful event,” he said.

“Bob Aitken, Executive Director, Rotary Down Under said most of the climbers came from among more than 18,000 Rotary members from more than 150 countries expected to attend Rotary International’s 105th annual convention at Sydney Olympic Park.

“For some of the climbers the Convention is their first visit to Sydney and this event was a spectacular way to kick it off,” Mr Aitken said.

“We are very excited so many people from around the world could join us to set a new world record on one of Australia’s most iconic structures and raise money for such a good cause,” Mark Maloney, Chair of Rotary’s International Convention Committee said.

“We not only broke two world records today, but we also generated enough funds to protect more than 180,000 children against polio.”
The convention is expected to inject an estimated $60.5 million into the NSW economy and provide a major boost to the local tourism sector.

“The convention is just another example of the strong attraction of Sydney as a drawcard for world class events.

“The NSW Government warmly welcomes these wonderful Rotarians and I wish them an enjoyable and memorable time in NSW,” Mr Gay said.

Media contact: Marnie Procter 0467 743 192

Image caption: Minister Duncan Gay, Chairman Rotary international convention committee Mark Maloney, BridgeClimb CEO Todd Coates and Chairman and founder of BridgeClimb Paul Cave welcome Rotary Convention to Sydney Harbour Bridge and a world record for the most number of different flags to be flown from the Bridge.