It is also pleasing to note the growing contribution from Tamworth's Christian community.

Most of it happens around the gospel zone in Kable Avenue just down from Hop Scotch. Morning sessions run from 10 till 2 each day with live music and munchies under the beautiful plane trees, with face painting, helium balloons and a jumping castle.

The kids club runs from Wednesday to Saturday 10 till 1pm with music games and story. There's a free concert every evening, family movies, Friday night youth night and a Saturday bush dance.

And it's all free. But it's not all centred on Kable Avenue. There are concerts in the churches, Gospel buskers outside Kelly's real estate, friendly traffic marshals behind the council office.

The official Australia Day service on Sunday in the Community Centre has been an authentic observance of what it means to be Australian. Call in and pick up a Gospel Gig Guide or follow the Gospel Zone facebook page.

Tamworth organiser Dave Tankard acknowledges that such a huge operation can only happen through the enthusiastic involvement of 300 volunteers from the churches of Tamworth.

"One of my favourite things is to see ordinary people having a go as volunteers on the team, making new friends, learning new skills and growing in confidence," he says. Kylie Whale is one such volunteer.

She first joined the team 10 years ago and has been back every year. "It's such a great opportunity to interact and share God's love over a cuppa" she says.

"I see it as serving God by loving people and it has a flow-on effect. You just never know what God is going to do with little things.