Nothing gets a small town humming like a festival, and in Tenterfield, locals flock together to celebrate what makes their part of the world so special. Surrounded by glorious bushland and ablaze with rich autumn colour, Tenterfield revels in its annual Easter weekend Autumn Festival — a vibrant celebration of nature’s grandest seasonal show.
The Tenterfield Historical Society knows firsthand the magic of coming together for a good cause. In 2025, they dove into the festival’s famed Hay Bale Competition for the very first time, turning heads with their creativity. Secretary Louise Kear shared.
“Coming up with something unique and true to our roots wasn’t easy, but we tipped our hats to the remarkable women of Tenterfield and their role in shaping our shire by creating “Annie”. When we snagged a prize, the whole group was absolutely thrilled — it gave us the push to roll up our sleeves and have another crack this year!”
Louise is enthusiastic about the Society’s luminous new entry: Amber, the Spirit of Autumn!
“Crafted under the inspired artistic direction of Sue Jurd, Amber is a idea brought to life by the hands and hearts of our group members. Together, we’ve screen printed and lovingly attached vibrant fabric leaves to our straw goddess, aiming to capture the essence of autumn.” As the sun sets, Amber’s solar-powered lights will shimmer, lending her an ethereal presence for all to enjoy in the evenings”.
President Chris Coker beams, “The best part of this creative journey has been how it’s strengthened our bond as a group, while sharing a burst of colour with both locals and visitors during the Autumn Festival. We are pleased to showcase our hay bale creation at 136 Logan Street, where Amber will shine proudly in front of the historic Centenary Cottage Museum.”
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