For 23 weeks in 1953, “Top Town” fever gripped the population of Taree. Organised by the Daily Telegraph and broadcast by 25 radio stations across New South Wales, “Top Town” was a knockout radio competition to find the town with the best entertainment talent.
Each round featured Sunday night concerts in 32 competing towns. Readers of the Telegraph would cut out a voting coupon, tune in to the broadcast, and vote for the town that delivered the better performance.
On Sunday 27 September 1953, Taree faced off in the final against the larger town of Moree. Both towns delivered outstanding shows, featuring instrumental, vocal, and even whistling acts. A suspenseful week followed as public votes were counted.
Five days later, Victor’s Newsagent received thrilling news: Taree had won the “Top Town” competition, beating Moree by over 14,000 votes! Celebrations erupted with train whistles and a parade of decorated vehicles.1
Organisers and celebrity performers travelled to Taree for a final broadcast concert on Sunday 4 October. Tickets sold out in 10 minutes, and that night, 1,000 people packed the Civic Theatre at Pulteney and Albert Streets, with large crowds listening outside.
The “Taree Concert Orchestra,” conducted by Bill Middleton, was named the top act of the series, earning £125. Taree was awarded £1,000, donated to the RSL War Memorial Building Fund for the then new facility on Pulteney Street.2
The triumph was a proud moment in Taree’s cultural history and a testament to the town’s vibrant community spirit and talent.
Author: Janine Roberts
References:
1 Daily Telegraph, 4 October 1953, 11.
2 Manning River Times, 5 October 1953, 1.
