THE Slim and Joy bronze statue appeal has been given a golden boost from the federal budget.
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The Tamworth country music appeal to immortalise Slim Dusty and wife Joy McKean in a bronze sculpture in Peel St has hit the $100,000 mark after a $30,000 injection from the federal government this week.
Appeal chairman John Sommerlad said the $30,000 was a direct result of representations from his committee to independent MP Tony Windsor two months ago – who then took the cause to federal minister Simon Crean.
Mr Windsor has reported that the minister responsible for regional development saw great merit in the Dusty duo appeal because it would drive the Tamworth brand as the country music capital, boost its tourist potential and add to the city’s cultural infrastructure.
The committee argued that Slim Dusty was identified as a national treasure and the Tamworth statue would be of national significance.
The end result was confirmed in the budget papers on Tuesday night.
Mr Sommerlad said the federal government funding was on top of $10,000 promised and delivered by the O’Farrell state government in January.
The appeal total was also swollen by a $50,000 commitment from Tamworth Regional Council, which included $11,000 raised from a Moscow Circus night earlier this year.
The statue of country music’s first couple will join the legendary Smoky Dawson as another country music capital tourist attraction and festival brand.
The Smoky designer, Shortland sculptor Tanya Bartlett, has been commissioned to complete this work too and has already been briefed on the initial design template to work from.
It will cost $180,000 and is likely to depict the couple together holding aloft a guitar. It is expected to be unveiled and positioned in a permanent Peel St place, still to be decided, in 18 months.