ON DAY one of the Countdown to the Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth 2015, some much-needed additional space was created at a chockablock local landmark.
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Since 1977 when the first crop of country music pioneers planted their hand in concrete, the total of individuals, groups and duos in the cornerstone has grown to 316 (officially counted yesterday by Jodie Crosby and Anna Rose).
With custodians the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame concerned the annual imprinting ceremony may have to be deferred a year, a local bloke with a big heart stepped in and sorted it out, quick-smart.
Retired builder and monumental mason Ron Kelly has clocked up more than a country mile or two volunteering his time and talents on at least three major country music tourist attractions in town – the Hands of Fame, the bronze busts in the park and the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown. “I had spoken with council about it and at first it seemed like it was going to be one of those jobs they just didn’t have time or funds to put into,” Mr Kelly said.
“Then when Brian Sheedy and I got talking, we worked out it would only take a few blokes a few days and the job would be done and out of the way. Too easy.”
Mr Kelly is a firm believer in making it happen – he’s not one of those blokes who sits around wondering what’s happened.
As a result, Mr Sheedy provided Mr Kelly with the materials needed for the extension, which will accommodate up to 40 new handprints, plus two council workers – Don Brown and Steve Smart – to help complete the task, which will be ready early next week.
When the next lot of recipients’ names are announced at the Roll of Renown concert on Saturday week, there’ll no doubt be an extra round of applause for the bloke who ensured their inductions would proceed.