The Big Golden Guitar is one of the many "big" attractions that can be found around Australia. Located in Tamworth, New South Wales, the monument is one of the best-known points of interest in New England.
| Golden Guitar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Designer | Harry Frost |
| Completion date | 1988 |
| Medium | Fibreglass and Steel |
| Subject | Australian country music |
| Dimensions | 12 m (39 ft) tall |
| Weight | 0.5 tonnes (0 long tons; 1 short ton) |
| Location | Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia |
It is also a major attraction during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
History
editThe Golden Guitar was erected in front of the Longyard Hotel on Sydney Road in 1988. It was unveiled by the country music artist, Slim Dusty.[1] Its location in Tamworth is symbolic of the city's recognition and celebration of Australian country music, and its artists.
An annual award ceremony takes place where miniature Golden Guitars are given as awards to artists and musicians in recognition of their achievements and contributions in the genre of country music. An estimated 3.6 million photographs have been taken of the site since its opening.
In 2018, the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre at the Big Golden Guitar Tourist Centre had 117,000 visitors, and the Council intends to increase visitor numbers. Long-term planning of the site will eventually see a National Guitar Museum established at the site along with a cafe for the tourists.[2]
Design
editThe Golden Guitar stand approximately 12 metres high[3] and weighs over 500 kilograms.[4] It is constructed out of fibreglass and wood, with steel reinforcements. The Golden Guitar has no strings because it was modeled directly on the Golden Guitar trophies given to winners at the Country Music Awards of Australia ceremony night during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Tamworth Music Festival". NineMSN. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ "Big Golden Guitar talk pulls heart strings". Regional Council Tamworth. 4 April 2019.
- ^ "Tamworth". Australia Guide. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ "AMAZING MIRACLES TO EXPLORE AUSTRALIA TOUR". RC Sailplane Travel to Australia. 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2011.