The city’s Town Crier kicked off the formal proceedings with cries of “hear ye, hear ye”, and called on the crowd to give “three cheers for Tamworth”.

Len Waters performed a moving smoke ceremony, and pointed out the way the city had been enriched by Aboriginal culture over the years, with suburbs carrying names like Nemingha and Calala.

Tamworth’s surviving mayors were reunited on stage, including Doug Campbell, Warwick Bennet, James Treloar, Warren Woodley and current mayor Col Murray.

“It’s really awesome, and it’s the first time in my time as mayor that we’ve all been in the same place at the same time,” Cr Murray said.

“Every mayor is different and had slightly different passions, but if you look back through history, each of the mayors have contributed in a very positive way to the development of the city.”

He paid tribute to the community-led celebrations, and made particular mention of the Tamworth Historical Society and Mike Cashman.

“To understand how to drive the city in to the future, we need to understand where it’s come from in the past,” he said.

“As the culture of any city is developed over time, we really need to understand it so we can responsibly further develop and enhance that culture.”

Former citizens of the year were also recognised on stage, while both Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and New England MP Barnaby Joyce made speeches.

Following the formalities, there were more than 20 community events, ranging from sports games to a dancing exhibition.

Dozens of people also retraced the final steps of explorer John Oxley, in the journey that led him to setting up camp on the banks of the Peel River.