Tamworth

[mamma_di_d_a]

I'm wondering if anybody knows much about the Tamworth area wrt potential for
natural parenting support, self-sufficiency, organics, permaculture, homeschooling etc. We're contemplating the possibility of moving there and are trying to research all angles... Does anybody know much about the local "vibe" wrt the above-mentioned issues, environmental health/awareness, air/water quality, birth etc.

[Rach]

Sorry... no idea!

[mamma_di_d_a]

Thankyou Rachael for replying. I appreciate it.

Margaret

[Marnie]

Hi Marg :-)
Although I haven't lived in either of them, from the feel of the two places, I reckon that there would be more support for your interests around Armidale, rather than Tamworth. Armidale, although colder climate, has the advantage of the university and the sort of folk who are working and studying in the area because of that.

Regards
Marnie

[Sirk]

I have a friend who grew up in tamworth- i'll ask her and get back to you

[nikkip]

i lived out of Armidale for 2.5 years before we moved here, a long way out, so didn't really get to know a lot of people, but certainly there was noone in my parenting group who was AP.

We looked at the hospitals in Tamworth as we were living almost as close to Tam as Arm when DD was born. The public was a bit shabby and VERY hospital looking. The private was nice. They had a shared spa, and each labour suite had its own shower (I ended up birthing at Armidale, and there was only one shower between the 2 birthing suites, but I was lucky enough to be labouring alone anyway so it was all mine). The rooms were excellent, quite a few had double beds and they encouraged partners to stay over (verboten in Armidale and you can't birth at the private there), each room had a mini fridge, and one night before you left, they would take the baby for an hour and serve you a candlelight dinner with your partner! Then we called the only private ob and nearly dropped the phone when we found out the gap payment!

Tamworth is hot hot hot in summer, and when the Country Music Festival is on, it is packed packed packed, although you can make a hell of a lot of money renting out your house - they have a really good scheme with reliable people .

For vibe, I find it country country country and western, like most of the regional centres out there, like Inverell, Narrabri and Moree. I don't know any parents of young children though, so can't comment on parenting support, schools or anything.

The shopping is pretty good for a regional centre, although might be a bit of a shock coming from Brisbane!

Don't know anything about the "green" culture there, but you could look up the local Landcare people...hmm there's no Tamworth branch listed but armidale has a website and may be able to direct you www.cbrm.une.edu/community/snelcc

Hope my ramblings help some! Tamworth is 3.5 hours from here, and I am 4 hrs from Brisbane solid driving time, to give you some idea. If you are heading down there, you are most welcome to stop in for a break or a bed, we are only 5 mins from the highway. PM me for ph number. I work Monday and Tuesday atm.

[mamma_di_d_a]

Thanks Marnie, Kris and Nikki for your replies and information. Thanks Nikki for the offer of a stopover too

We're still sorting out our ideas, but I appreciate the input. Thankyou.

Margaret