He came to Tamworth for an official visit and to soak up some festival hospitality, but on Saturday night it was all about the music for Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
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And the GG seemed just as at home on the Golden Guitar stage as he had walking and mingling with music fans in Peel Street earlier in the day.
Towards the end of the The Golden Guitar Awards, the crowd was surprised when the GG appeared on stage with country music royalty The McClymonts to present two Golden Guitar awards.
The Governor and Lady Cosgrove were clearly relishing their time in Tamworth, which included a civic reception, a tour of The Country Music Hall of fame and a visit to community facility Billabong House.
Sir Peter said he was enjoying “soaking up the atmosphere” of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“It’s a kaleidoscope of experiences but it is wholly and soley a great Australian experience,” he said.
“People say it gets bigger and better each year and I could see that Peel Street was just buzzing.”
He said he was honoured to have been asked to present awards to talented Australian musicians at the country music industry’s night of nights, the Golden Guitars.
“To do this before a room of legends and larrikins of the country music scene was a highlight,” he said.
“I must add it was a privilege to share the stage with the wonderful McClymonts.
“It’s a wonderful evening for Tamworth but also for country music and by extension for all Australians to celebrate this great part of our country,” he said.
On Sunday, Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove visited Tamworth’s Billabong Clubhouse where they met and mixed with staff and members.
Members and their guests were delighted to host the high profile visitors and turned on a spectacular spread of morning tea and refreshments.
Chair of Billabong Clubhouse and Tamworth’s 2017 Citizen of the Year Malcolm MacPherson took General and Lady Cosgrove for a tour of the facility and showed them the range of activities on offer to members.
The Governor General said he enjoyed taking time to visit places like the Billabong Clubhouse while on official tours.
“These are practical places of love, community activity and people doing things for each other and for themselves,” he said.
The Clubhouses are an international model of facility set up to assist adults with a mental illness in developing skills and confidence through social participation and learning opportunities.
“This is one of only ten in Australia and Tamworth’s got one. It’s fantastic,” his excellency said.
