Australian Country Music Hall of Fame officially ‘gifted’ to Tamworth

In a significant move for the country music sector, an official step was taken in transferring the ownership of the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame to Tamworth Regional Council to be preserved and enhanced for future generations.

The Council this week officially accepted the ‘gift’ of the collection from the Australian Country Music Foundation (ACMF).

Items have been collected since 1991 to tell the first hundred years of country music in Australia and New Zealand.

These include stage clothing, instruments, posters and photographs from the likes of Slim Dusty, Keith Urban, Smoky Dawson, Buddy Williams, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey and Amber Lawrence.

Tamworth mayor Col Murray called the gift a “significant part” of Tamworth’s heritage.

“It is the only collection of its type which tells the story of the Australian country music industry and its natural home is here at Australia’s Country Music Capital,” he said. 

“The Hall of Fame is a wonderful addition to our music-themed assets and attractions and we are grateful of the work the Australian Country Music Foundation has done over many years to build the collection.”

The Australian Country Music Foundation formed in 1991 to collate the Hall of Fame.

But being volunteer-run, there was concern within its ranks if the association would last, and that the items be protected in the future.

“It’s right and proper that it’s going to be looked after by the Tamworth Regional Council … none of us are getting any younger and we had to make provision for the care of this collection which is so important to Australia and New Zealand’s history,” president of the Australian Country Music Foundation Eric Scott said.

Council takes up the operation and management of the Hall of Fame from September 1 and the transfer from November 30.