By ALENA HIGGINS
TENTERFIELD has been named the ‘Perfect Heritage Town’ by one of the state’s most widely read dailies.
The Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper (SMH) listed Tenterfield as one of six locations in its Travel Guide to the best Australian Towns, which was published online and in the paper’s weekend edition earlier this month.
Fairfax Media’s travel arm, Traveller, assembled a panel of six well-traversed Aussies who identified Tenterfield as being at the epicentre of one of the country’s most significant historical areas.
Tenterfield Visitors Information Centre co-coordinator Lara Flanagan was bowled over by the accolade.
“To get that really high level recognition is amazing for the town,” she gushed.
“It means so much more exposure and as you know SMH is one of the most widely read newspapers out there and it also had a link to the online portal (of Traveller).”
The panel, made up of singer songwriter John Williamson, screenwriter and director Jan Sardi, around-the-world yachtswoman Kay Cottee, artist Garry McEwan, TV personality and performer Todd McKenney, and country crooner Felicity Urquhart, recognised Sir Henry Parkes’ federation speech and the preservation of iconic historic buildings such as the Tenterfield Saddler and the Tenterfield Railway Station as contributing to the town’s title.
The adjudicators also gave a nod to Tenterfield’s famous former residents, including Peter Allen, Banjo Paterson, Major J.F. Thomas and Captain Thunderbolt.
Tenterfield Shire Council mayor Peter Petty said he was delighted with the recognition.
“Tenterfield residents have always known Tenterfield is a great place,” Cr Petty said.
“Our history, heritage and scenery are things of which Tenterfield people are extremely proud, however they are always willing to share this with the many visitors who already know of this best-kept secret.”
Tamworth was crowned the Perfect Country Town, Lightning Ridge the Perfect Outback Town, Beechworth, VIC, the Perfect Cultural Town, Daylesford, VIC, the Perfect Spa Town, and the Perfect Coastal Town honours went to Yamba, NSW.
