White Pages Covers Program

White Pages® recognises Max Ellis for composing the fine-tuned Tamworth Country Music Festival

February 24, 2011

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Tamworth resident, Max Ellis OAM has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Tamworth Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® book which will be distributed throughout Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell, Moree, Gunnedah, Narrabri and Glen Innes from 12 February 2011.

Each year, Sensis, the publisher of the Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^®, recognises the contribution of local residents in the community by featuring them on the cover of its books.

The theme for this year’s covers, Australians Creating a Better Future, recognises people throughout Australia who have made a positive contribution to their community through projects or initiatives that help to make a better future for Australia. These projects have contributed environmentally, economically and or socially to the local community and will benefit the next generation of Australians.

Max’s selection recognises his contribution to Australian country music and countless hours dedicated to organising the Tamworth Country Music Festival. This has been fundamental in making Tamworth recognised as Australia’s country music capital.

As one of the founders of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Max’s commitment to promoting Tamworth and country music sees the festival attract over 50,000 visitors from all over the world and contribute around $40 million to the Tamworth’s economy.

Further to his work with Country Music, Max started the Ag-Quip Field Days at Gunnedah and was CEO for over a decade.  Ag-Quip is recognised as the biggest agricultural field day in the southern hemisphere with over 100,000 attendees providing a, further boost to tourism to the region.

“I’ve been fortunate and proud to be able make a contribution to two major events, which have had such a significant impact on our community. I share my pride with the many others who have worked tirelessly on both the Country Music and Ag-Quip projects over the years” said Max.

Max has been the recipient of many accolades for contribution to tourism in NSW, including an Order of Australia Medal for Services to Australian Agriculture and Country Music, and a Special Golden Guitar from the Country Music Association of Australia for his outstanding contribution to Australian country music.

Did you know? The last three local people to appear on the Tamworth Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover were:

2010/11: Gunndedah resident Rodney Burns graced the Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover under the Courageous Australians theme. As a retained Fire Fighter, Rod has protected the Gunnedah community as well as disaster zones all over Australia.

2009/10: Wallabadah resident Tania Hartigan featured on the 2009/10 Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® cover under the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities. Tania was selected for her work as president of the Wallabadah Arts Council where she coordinates several festivals and also dedicates her time at local schools, helping children with disabilities to learn arts, literacy and numeracy.

2008/09: Tamworth resident Ben Davies was the cover hero for the 2008/09 Celebrating Australian Flavour theme, where he was recognised for raising the profile of local Tamworth food producers.