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Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall

Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall
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Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall, exterior
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Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall dedication plaque
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Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall Legacy 50th anniversary plaque
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Description / Background

The Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall is a two-storey brick building, dedicated to those who served in the First World War. Attached to front of the building, positioned around its three entrance arches, are several bronze plaques. One plaque details the official opening and dedication of the hall on 20 November 1934.

Another plaque was presented to the Legacy Club of Tamworth in recognition of 50 years of service. Legacy came to Tamworth in 1945, when Mr Cliff Oliver and others were invited by Sydney Legacy to form a Legacy Contact Group. Early in 1948, Tamworth accepted full responsibility of all Legacy activities in the area, which included Tamworth, Gunnedah, Quirindi, Werris Creek, Wallabadah, Manilla, Barraba, Narrabri, and Boggabri. 

Two other plaques are listed separately on the NSW War Memorials Register as the Tamworth Australia Remembers Plaque and the Tamworth Remembrance Day 80th Anniversary Memorial Plaque.

A brief timeline of the hall

  • By July 1920, a Tamworth Soldier's Memorial Hall fund was established.
  • 20 April 1921: Some 500 people attended a meeting in Tamworth to decide what type of war memorial was to be constructed. A town hall was decided upon. A committee with representatives from a number of organisations was formed.
  • 7 May 1921: A further meeting was held. No action was taken.
  • 7 October 1926: Mayor of Tamworth W. H. Thibault conducted a public meeting in the Oddfellows Hall to establish a new committee to carry out the original project to erect a war memorial town hall.
  • August 1927: Tamworth Municipal Council decided to hold a competition for the design of the hall. Mr A. S. Hooke, president of the Institute of Architects, was to adjudicate.
  • December 1927: The first prize of £200 in the competition was awarded to Peddle, Thorp and Walker of George Street, Sydney. The Tamworth and District War Memorial Committee purchased the land and offered it to the council free of debt. The site was formerly occupied by the old Regan Palace Roller Flour Mill. 
  • December 1933: Demolition of the mill was well under way in preparation for construction of the hall.
  • 20 November 1934: The hall was officially opened by Major-General Rosenthal.
Inscription

Above the front entrance

Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall

Opening and dedication plaque

Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall

A memorial to service and sacrifice

Officially opened by Major General Sir Charles Rosenthal KCB CMG DSO VD

20 November 1934

Dedicated by Chaplain Major William Mackenzie

Ald WH Thibault Mayor

Mr VG Kable Town Clerk

(Total cost including land and furnishings: £29,000)

Legacy plaque

1948 1998

This plaque is presented to the

Legacy Club of Tamworth

by

Legacy Co-Ordinating Council on behalf

of the Legacy Club of Australia in

recognition of its 50 years service

to the care of widows and children

of Australian and Allied Ex-Servicemen

who served their country in a theatre

of war.

"Lest we forget"

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Address
26-28 Fitzroy Street
Tamworth NSW 2340
Local Government Area
Tamworth Regional Council
Setting
Roadside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Building
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1933
Dedication date
20 November 1934
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Materials
Brick
Concrete
Other