Golden Guitar

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, New South Wales. It is also a major attraction during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

This article is about the monument. For the award, see Country Music Awards of Australia.

Golden Guitar
DesignerHarry Frost
Completion date1988
MediumFibreglass and Steel
SubjectAustralian country music
Dimensions12 m (39 ft) tall
Weight0.5 tonnes (0 long tons; 1 short ton)
LocationTamworth, New South Wales, Australia

History

The Golden Guitar was erected in front of the famous Longyard Hotel on the Sydney Road in 1988. It was unveiled by Australia's most popular 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 award ceremony takes place every year 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 welcomed 117,000 visitors. The iconic structure will take on a new lease of life as Council plans for the future of the Tourist Centre with the aim to build the 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

The 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

References
  1. "Tamworth Music Festival". NineMSN. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  2. "Big Golden Guitar talk pulls heart strings". Regional Council Tamworth. 4 April 2019.
  3. "Tamworth". Australia Guide. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
  4. "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.

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