Hundreds of Sydneysiders have banded together to attempt to break the world record for the most paper hats worn in one place.
The event, to promote mental health research, saw 301 people don paper hats for 10 minutes at Martin Place on Friday afternoon.
Tourists, firemen and city workers on their lunch breaks were among those convinced to join in the fun at Martin Place amphitheatre and break the previous record of 250 people.
When the clock struck 1pm (AEST) people donned their hats in order to both make history and promote the need for more mental health research as part of Australian Rotary Health's first "Hat Day".
Prominent among the group were the Red Hat Society ladies, a group of women over the age of 50 who get together to wear red hats, purple dresses and have fun.
"It's about growing old disgracefully, having fun and supporting a good cause," the society's Val Coad said.
Citibank worker Lindel had a Giraffe paper-mache hat made by the children at North Sydney Demonstration School.
"My family has suffered from mental illness, so that's why I'm down here," she said.
Mental illness affects one in five Australians every year and contributes to more than 2,000 deaths a year through suicide.
Rotary's corporate manager, Terry Davies, said the day was designed to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health and the money raised would go to research.
Guinness World Records is expected to verify the record within weeks.
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