MIKE Whitney has been bowled over by Tamworth as the Sydney Weekender crew dropped by to showcase the town leading up to the country music festival.
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Filming with some professional bull riders and campdrafters at AELEC yesterday, Mr Whitney said he has been coming to Tamworth for 35 years and the “place has really grown” in that time.
“It’s a really happening place, there’s no signs of stagnation and there’s not too many closed shops around the place,” Mr Whitney said.
The ex-cricketer was particularly impressed with the Pig and Tinder Box and said it was “something new for Tamworth.”
“It could have been in Woollahra or Coogee; it’s a pretty cool place,” he said of the new restaurant.
Mr Whitney said it is hard to get away from the country music festival when talking about Tamworth, but he thought Sydneysiders would be attracted to the real taste of the bush the city offered.
“It’s not too far for a weekend trip; you can fly up, or it’s a lovely drive. It’s just a beautiful place,” he said.
The Sydney Weekender crew filmed at several locations across Tamworth, including the Pig and Tinder Box, the Big Golden Guitar, Ashby House Motor Inn, Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association.
Mr Whitney also spoke fondly of fellow Sydney Weekender presenter and Tamworth product Felicity Urquhart.
“We discovered Flick busking on a corner in Tamworth about 15 years ago,” he said.
Mr Whitney said the crew invited the then-unknown singer to dinner and were amused by her very Tamworth response of: “I’d love to, but Mum’s making rissoles.”
Sydney Weekender’s Tamworth special is scheduled to air on Sunday, November 22.
The ex-Test cricketer also weighed in on the current Australian side, after the recent Ashes loss saw sweeping changes to the team’s set-up.
“I’m really surprised Pup (Michael Clarke) retired. It’s difficult to make a comeback from there,” Mr Whitney said.
The team is in good hands, according to Mr Whitney, who said Steve Smith was destined to be an “absolute superstar” with a lot to offer with bat, ball and on the field.
“I’ve known Steve Smith a long time and he’s a really lovely young man,” he said.
The ex-pace bowler was also excited about batsman Usman Khawaja getting a deserved call-up.
Mr Whitney said Khawaja was special talent, after the batsman recently played for Sydney grade side Randwick-Petersham, where Mr Whitney is serving as club president.