Issue #16

February 2025

Message from the Mayor

What a positive start it’s been to the year with one of our best Tamworth Country Music Festivals on record and recognition of our region’s community achievers with our Community Australia Day Awards. I hope you were able to get out and about to enjoy your favourite parts of our 10-day event which is the largest and longest-lived country music celebration in the southern hemisphere.

2024 Tamworth Citizen of the Year nominees

Community spirit shines at Awards

It was a display of everything that’s wonderful about the Tamworth region on Sunday 26 January as residents in Tamworth, Manilla, Barraba, and Nundle were recognised through the local Australia Day Awards. 45 nominees across 11 categories were recognised for their efforts to make our community a great place to live.

Federal funds for facility

The Tamworth Aquatic, Education and Health Centre of Excellence has secured $9M in funding from the Australian Government.

Dobell Drawing Prize in town

The Tamworth Regional Gallery has welcomed the Dobell Drawing Prize #23 to its space, celebrating drawing as a fundamental visual arts element.

An image of a Grey Fergie Tractor in Bendemeer, NSW

Calling all tractor lovers

Exciting news for vintage machinery and agriculture fans as the Grey Fergie Tractor Muster & Land Rover Gathering returns to Bendemeer in March.

Burgmanns Lane construction

Burgmanns Lane has been a hive of activity on both sides of the highway recently, with a number of Council projects in progress, or about to begin.

Role of Council

As one of the 128 Councils in NSW, we have responsibility as a Local Government to focus on what's happening at a grass roots level. One of our areas of responsibility is Community Development.

Catch up with us

Councillor Catch Ups are starting again for 2025, with the first opportunity for the new year being held in Tamworth at the Saturday Community Markets on Saturday 8 February, from 10am to 11am.

Care for kids

With school starting back this week, don’t forget to organise before and after school care for your children! Council’s Year Round Care is a great option for busy parents to work around bell times.

Keith Urban was inducted into the Roll of Renown

2025 Festival an all-round success

Thousands of tents were packed up and visitors headed home, after another huge Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival came to a close. Locals from across the entertainment, business and hospitality sectors have agreed 2025 attracted more festival-goers than last year and will go down as one of the best festivals to date. From the appearance of superstar Keith Urban to boot-scootin’ from The Wiggles, there were many special moments.

Holy cow: world forum

Tamworth will host an international cattle expo and forum, to be held 3-4 May this year at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre.This event will attract thousands of producers and industry experts to our region, known for our beef.

05 February

Twilight racing

Try twilight mountain bike racing with Tamworth Mountain Bikers every Wednesday in terms one and four this year.

08 February

Bendemeer rodeo

Have an action-packed day at the Bendemeer Rodeo! A great day out for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages.

23 February

Soul Connections

Enjoy a night of soul as local blues legend Buddy Knox brings together talented singers he's mentored.

07 March

Barraba Show

A showcase of agriculture, this year Barraba Show runs from Friday 7 March until Sunday 9 March.