Tamworth is a regional centre (population: 35,000) and is the major city within the Tamworth Regional Council (Local Government Area) in the southern New England area of New South Wales, Australia. The city is well known as the "Country Music Capital" of Australia.

Geography

Tamworth is located on the banks of the Peel River which frequently causes minor flooding. It is about 400 km north of Sydney on the New England Highway. It can also be reached by CountryLink rail services. The Oxley Highway from Nevertire to Port Macquarie also passes through Tamworth. Tamworth is located at the coordinates S 31° 05.0 E 150° 50.8

History

Tamworth was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to have a municipally-operated electric street lighting, earning itself the title of "The City of Light".

Timeline

• 1818 - Explorer John Oxley passes through the area on his exploration mission. Names the river that now runs through the town: Peel River, after English PM Robert Peel whose name is also that of the main street.
• 1918 - A Memorial, an anchor is unveiled as a memorial to the discovery of Tamworth district
• 1947 - East-West Airlines established in Tamworth - flying Tamworth - Sydney.
• 1988 - A country music icon, a 40 foot tall Golden Guitar is erected in symbol of the city's country music roots.
• 2004 - A new local government area, Tamworth Regional Council, is formed from Tamworth City, Manilla Shire and parts of Parry, Nundle and Barraba Shires.

Demography

The estimated population of Tamworth City in June 2003 was 37,120 (Aust. Bureau of Statistics). For statistical purposes, Tamworth was grouped with the part of Parry Shire containing the satellite town of Kootingal . The population of this combined Tamworth Statistical Subdivision at the 2001 census was 40,878.

Country Music Festival

Tamworth is often best known for hosting the Country Music Festival. Held over 10 days during January, the festival is often counted among the world's top ten music festivals. While the festival is based in Tamworth, events are also held in a number of areas outside (but within a short distance) of Tamworth, including Manilla, Moonbi and Kootingal

The festival culminates in the awarding of Golden Guitars - one of the highest awards that Australian Country Music artists can win for their music.

Schools

• Peel Technology High School
• Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
• Oxley High School
• Tamworth High School
• Attunga Public School
• Currabubula Public School
• Dungowan Public School
• Duri Public School
• Hillvue Public School
• Kootingal Public School
• Limbri Public School
• Moonbi Public School
• Nemingha Public School
• Nundle Public School
• Oxley Vale Public School
• Tamworth East Public School
• Tamworth South Public School
• Tamworth West Public School
• Timbumburi Public School
• Tintinhull Public School
• Westdale Public School
• Woolomin Public School
• Carinya Christian School
• Calrossy Girls' School
• Liberty College
• McCarthy Catholic College
• St Edward's Infants School
• St Edward's Primary School
• St Joseph's Primary School
• St Mary's Infants School
• St Nicholas' Primary School
• Bullimbal School For Special Purposes

See also

• Tamworth Correctional Centre
• List of cities in Australia

External links

• Tamworth Portal (incl. Tamworth Regional Council's Website)
• Tourism Tamworth
• Northern Daily Leader - Newspaper
• Tamworth Online