TAMWORTH Regional mayor Col Murray was as surprised as most to hear Hollywood had come to Tamworth and The Creek.
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Like many others, it was the gravevine, catapulted by the speed of social media, that launched the story.
“I have heard on the grapevine today that Ms Jolie is in the area – unfortunately my mayoral diary does not include a meeting with her,” he laughed.
“It has created a real buzz around town that within a matter of days we have had a visit from Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart, and now international star Angelina Jolie.
“The Tamworth region has many attractions providing good reasons for visiting here.
“It’s more than possible that someone who is about to direct a new movie could find many suitable potential locations in the local area. In the past, there have been a number of filmmakers take advantage of the region’s scenic assets.”
Cr Murray was echoing the remarks of Tourism Australia chief Andrew McEvoy who said Jolie, and her brood of six children, had been an unofficial ambassador for Sydney’s family-friendly tourist attractions since arriving last Friday.
The tourism body says high-profile visits are great for the industry and generate a bit of buzz and attention on the world stage.
Photographs of Jolie and the Pitt family kids beside iconic Sydney attractions will garner attention from overseas media.
The whirlwind day trip to Werris Creek with about six film industry people in tow generated plenty of buzz among locals and media. But it’s also created spin-off stories.
The starstruck locals have also been in the spotlight that Jolie has shone on regional NSW. There’s been morning television show attention directed at some who got up close and personal with the beautiful star. You might see them on the tele today.
