Making Tamworth’s Biggest Music Event More Inclusive

At Kennards Hire, we believe great events should be for everyone. That’s why we’re proud to be working alongside Tamworth Regional Council to bring our Sound Sensitivity Stations to the 2026 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The stations will be set up for the entirety of the festival and are aimed at enabling individuals with sound sensitivity and neurodivergent requirements to experience the excitement and thrill of the event, without the risk of being overwhelmed by noise levels.

It’s the first time the dispensers and stations have been installed in Australia, with Kennards Hire launching the first-of-its-kind initiative at New Zealand’s Eden Park in 2024. The concept was devised by a Kennards Hire team member and has since been expanded to Forsyth Barr in Dunedin, as well as Eden Park adding further two stations in 2025.

Craig McMahon, Area Manager at Kennards Hire, said: “After a successful partnership with Eden Park and Forsythe Barr in New Zealand, we’re delighted to see the initiative rolled out at an Australian venue and event for the first time.

“Tamworth Country Music Festival is such an iconic event in the Australian music calendar - we feel it’s important for those with sound sensitivity or neurodivergent needs still be able to enjoy the magic of the festival. We’re proud to play a part in making the festival more welcoming and hope that these stations and ear plug dispensers become a familiar feature across venues and events in Australia and New Zealand.”

Tamworth Regional Council has been working hard to make the festival more accessible and inclusive, with initiatives like the Sensory Space already in place.

Barry Harley, Manager, Events & Country Music at Tamworth Regional Council said: “Our team has taken a number of steps in recent years towards making the festival more inclusive in a variety of ways, including the sensory space in the CBD. This activation by Kennards Hire is another step forward in allowing people with sensitivities and neurodivergence to be part of the action in Toyota Park.”

With around 15% of Australians experiencing some level of sound sensitivity,  initiatives like these can make a meaningful difference, not just at Tamworth, but across future events and venues.

Uniting NDIS Local Area Coordination has been partnering with the Tamworth Regional Council and is supporting this year’s festival through its Sensory Space.

Yvette Hymphrys, Project Officer, Uniting NDIS Local Area Coordination, said: “I’m proud that Uniting Local Area Coordination is partnering with the Tamworth Regional Council. Together, we are making community events more welcoming for everyone. 

“This is our second year running a Sensory Space at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The Sensory Space is a calm, quiet place where people can take a break if things feel a bit too much. We’re also delighted that Kennards Hire are supporting this community initiative through its Sound Sensitivity Stations. When spaces are more inclusive, everyone can join in, and the community benefits.”

At Kennards Hire, we’re always looking for ways to lift up communities and make a positive difference in our local areas. If you would like to read more about how our teams are involved in their local areas, visit our community support page.

For more information about the Tamworth Country Music Festival visit their website.