It's hard to imagine the days of gold when Stuart Town had a population of 20,000.
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At the weekend, the peaceful village was transformed for the Man From Ironbark Festival which saw a record 3000 people turn up for the Easter celebrations.
Organiser and president of the Stuart Town Advancement Association Ben Penhall was ecstatic with how the festival has grown in its fifth year.
With the XPT stopping off at the station many came from Orange for a visit.
There was even a visitor who travelled from as far as Brisbane to research family history as the village celebrated all things Banjo Paterson in memory of the days when Stuart Town was called Ironbarks.
There was billy boiling, gum boot throwing, a basketball shootout and a cafe at Tim Winters' art gallery as well as a huge parade and stalls down the main street.
Mr Penhall said the tourism meant big things for a place that continued to thrive with three businesses.
"I think it does a lot for the community," he said.
"I still don't know everyone in Stuart Town and walking along the street they have been coming up to me and saying good job.
"They are all very interested."
Through fundraising and grants there are a number of projects set to transform Stuart Town.
Recently a new PA system was purchased as well as a piano for the hall while the council and the Advancement Association have installed a number of benches around the place and basketball rings for the shootout competition at the newly surfaced tennis court.
The next big project will be turning the remains of the old garage into a tourist information centre.