M&G NSW's journey to Tamworth

Michael Rolfe, CEO and the M&G NSW Board with volunteers from the Tamworth Powerstation Museum and staff from Tamworth Regional Art Gallery outside the Powerstation Museum.

Recently, the M&G NSW Board met in Tamworth and also visited Armidale and Uralla, as part of a packed two day visit and regional tour designed to familiarise members with a selection of galleries, museums and Aboriginal cultural centres within the region. Following the meeting, which was held at Tamworth Regional Gallery, the board visited Tamworth’s Powerstation Museum, the Historical Society’s Calala Cottage and well-known Country Music Hall of Fame. The Powerstation Museum celebrates all things electric, transforming an astounding historical fact (that Tamworth was the first city in the southern hemisphere to install electric street lighting) into a wonderful story about the impact, design and use of power generation in the region. Ron Greer and his associate volunteers have done a remarkable job carefully restoring and designing a set of displays of huge interest for visitors and residents alike.

Similarly, Calala Cottage captures the essence of early Tamworth life around the time of white settlement. The Historical Society, under President John Vickery, patiently volunteers time and resources to keep Tamworth stories alive. Their work, reflected in similar efforts all around NSW, is to be applauded for its commitment and contribution to the region. Similarly the Country Music Hall of Fame relies on the energy and commitment of volunteers to capture the history and storytelling that abounds in the town’s now world famous Country Music Festival.

Sandra McMahon, Director of the Tamworth Regional Gallery, helped organise a dinner to complete a busy first day. Board members were able to mingle with a range of local government reps (staff and councilors), local arts professionals and invited special guests. It was a great night and a chance for board chair, Professor Colin Rhodes, to acknowledge the commitment from a community that has produced a strong arts and cultural legacy in regional NSW.

The following day the board traveled to Armidale, visiting the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place (during which they participated in a community charged celebration as part of Reconciliation Week) and then on to the New England Regional Art Museum for a tour of the collection and lunch with Director, Caroline Downer (and what a lunch it was)!

Kent Mayo welcomed us to the ‘must see’ McCrossin’s Mill in Uralla that features engaging displays in a beautifully restored three story granite and brick flour mill. Kent introduced the board to the planned developments of McCrossin’s Mill before returning to Tamworth and flights home.

Michael Rolfe, M&G NSW CEO.