Queen Opens Ray Walsh House

It was on March 11, 1977 that Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened ‘Ray Walsh House’ at 435-441 Peel Street.

The Peel-Cunningham County Council had occupied the building three weeks earlier as its administrative headquarters.

The total cost of the building’s construction had been just over $5 million, with the architects being Sydney-based Peddle, Thorpe & Walker, and the builders being Sydney’s Kell and Rigby.

The building had been named after Ray Walsh who, amongst his many contributions, included RAAF service in WWII from 1940-1945; General Manager of Tamworth Farmer’s Co-operative; Chairman of the Peel Valley County Council from 1956; Chairman of the Peel-Cunningham County Council from 1960; an Alderman of Tamworth City Council from 1949 until his death; Deputy-Mayor of Tamworth 1951 – 1954; and also granted the Freedom of the City of Tamworth award.

Leading to the Official Opening, the Queen had a 24 mounted escort along Peel Street, provided by the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers and the 24th Light Horse Regimental Association.

Twelve rode in front of the Queen’s vehicle, 10 behind, with the Commander and Deputy riding with drawn swords on either side of the vehicle.

Other than the Peel-Cunningham County Council electricity body, some early tenants of Ray Walsh House were the solicitors firm of Everingham, Solomons & Company.

It wasn’t until 1997 that Tamworth City Council made an announcement that it would buy Ray Walsh House from North Power at a purchase price of $4.5 million, with most commercial tenants remaining in the building at the time.
Council’s previous major headquarters had been in Peel House in Fitzroy Street.

The ‘Tamworth City Council’ name was instituted at the front of the building, which continued to be referred to as ‘Ray Walsh House’.