DAVID Friend didn't think footage he'd filmed 53 years ago would be of any interest.
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Yet, he digitised plenty of it - family videos, his parents' slides, black and white film that his father took during the Second World War, and an 11-minute-long video of the streets of Tamworth in 1969.
A 20-year-old at the time, Mr Friend had a Yashica Super 8 film camera, and "just filmed whenever I wanted to film".
While it interests him to think about the past, he warns against dwelling on it.
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"I suppose one should not always look at the past, we've just gotta keep looking to the future, no matter how good or bad it is," he said.
Allowing reflection on Tamworth in the late 60s, he said it was a dry place.
"Uninteresting, really. It was just a country town. I can remember the main street, completely different to what it is now," he said.
As far as technology goes, it's gotten a lot better, he said.
"Now anyone can take a photograph," he said.
Mr Friend left Tamworth and lived much of his life in Sydney, running a structural landscape business, but eventually returned to the country music capital.
"I've enjoyed coming back. It's a good place. Even though Tamworth's getting a bit busy now," the 74-year-old said.
What happened in Tamworth in 1969?
- In January Tamworth & District Handicapped Children's Association opened a Foster Home at 106 Marius St, thought to have been the first of its kind in NSW
- The School of Rural Science commenced operations in February in their new premises at the Tamworth Technical College, situated on the northern side of the main Tech building in Janison St
- Following on from the 1963 nephrite/ jade mineral mining operation in the Dungowan district, further discoveries were made in the nearby area
- Country Music recording in Tamworth had its origins with the formation of "CM Records", initially using 2TM's workshop as a makeshift studio
- The re-formed Oxley Vale Primary School opened on its present site with 70 to 80 pupils and a teaching staff of 3
- After being in recess for around 3 years, Tamworth Musical Society was revived with the Bill Gleeson production of "Kiss Me Kate"
- Tamworth Choral Society celebrated its 20th anniversary with its second presentation of Handel's "Messiah"
- Nundle Shire Council erected a one million gallon water reservoir in the Nundle village. Water was connected to 112 premises through just over 10km of reticulation pipes
- The 'Tamworth Advertiser' newspaper published its final issue on April 19.The "breathalyser" came to Tamworth, with initially breath analysis of drivers being targeted for perhaps erratic driving rather than at random. In the first week of operation 17 out of 25 tested positive
- Tamworth Amateur Athletics Club was formed at a public meeting on April 23 (Yours Truly Publicity Officer & Club Coach). Training was held on No.1 Oval and over 200 athletes were registered, largely juniors
- The "breathalyser" came to Tamworth, with initially breath analysis of drivers being targeted for perhaps erratic driving rather than at random. In the first week of operation 17 out of 25 tested positive
- By early May the Tamworth Agricultural College had installed an air-conditioned glasshouse, believed to be unique in Australia
- The first substantial Country Music Concert was held in the Tamworth Town Hall on May 23, with Max Ellis and Radio Station 2TM well to the fore in its promotion
- The Full Gospel Church commenced in Tamworth in June, continuing in the town for 4 years
- During July 20/21 the Dave's Hill communication facilities to the east of Tamworth City were part of a worldwide communication link associated with Neil Armstrong's landing on the Moon
- A Tamworth - Port Macquarie bus service was commenced on August 18, pioneered by Hannaford's Coaches
- Tamworth's first "Brown Bomber" Parking Officer, Alan Pope, commenced operations in the streets of Tamworth in September
- Famous Country Music performer Slim Dusty made his first stage performance at Tamworth Town Hall on October 4
- Late in the year Norm McKellar, Chief Executive Officer of Tamworth Base Hospital, was elected Mayor of Tamworth, going on to serve in the office for 10 consecutive years.
- A new South Tamworth Fire Station in Kent St was occupied in September with Ronald Garnsey as Captain and 9 volunteer firemen; with the Official Opening occurring on December 11
- On December 11 the "School Train" made its last journey, after having made return transport for schoolchildren from Werris Creek to Tamworth since 1936
- After its first 30 years Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School had grown to a staff of 24 teachers and an enrolment of 362.
"What drew me back was I just got sick and tired of the traffic, so I just spat the dummy and just thought I'd come back," Mr Friend said.
Tamworth is completely different now, he said, with a population of 60,000, a proactive council, the intermodal at Westdale, and the AELEC.
"The AELEC, when it was built, I think it was about $25, 30 million, but it's probably paid for itself by bringing a whole lot of tourists and people into town," he said.
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