Tamworth Old Station Master's House: artist in residence proposal underway with the help of Transport for NSW and councillor Juanita Wilson

In less than a year, the ramshackle kitchen and dilapidated living room could become home to an Indigenous artist, a painter, sculptor or musician.

Behind the scenes, a band of passionate locals have pushed to save the heritage building and turn it into an artist in residence space the community can be proud of, led by Tamworth Regional Council councillor Juanita Wilson

"It's one of the projects that can be used here but its certainly the one that has the rubber to the road, fulfils Blueprint 100 and the cultural plan and the aspirations of Transport for NSW," she said.

"Like families, the built structure of a region and a town is generational, we go to new subdivisions and we can pinpoint they are new. It gives security to see what went before and see that physical presence of heritage whether its a park, a building, I think it also helps us to appreciate the effort and ingenuity of our forefathers.

"It's our history, we go to England or Europe and revel in the history but that history is only there because the building wasn't knocked down when it was 100 or 200 years old."

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An artist in residence enables an artist to work in a new space away from the pressures of everyday life.

It could open the doors for masterclasses, community open days and even concerts.

The Old Station Master's House was originally built as a home for the minister of the methodist church.

Installation of a railway line split the church and home in two, so the rail company agreed to buy the house and build another for the minister closer to the church.

Now, the historic home is owned and managed by John Holland and Transport for NSW, which are committed to seeing the proposal come to light.

After numerous site visits, Transport for NSW is keen to contribute financially and project manage the restoration of the house, Cr Wilson said.

She said the project also has the support of the University of New England and Arts North West.

"Transport for NSW are really keen to prioritise it, they want this cab off the rank, they can see the potential and feel confident about the use and the backing," she said.

"They're really excited that it could involve Aboriginal art, it can last for a short or long time."

The Leader contacted Transport for NSW for comment.

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