Dedication to community honoured with Moree Australia Day awards

Moree Plains Shire Council formally recognised individuals and groups for their conscientious work and commitment at the recent Australia Day awards ceremony.

The event, held at Jellicoe Park, was sponsored by council and organised by the Moree Lions Club providing the community with a free barbecue breakfast.

Mayor Mark Johnson addressed the gathering by thanking those people who have made significant differences to the community over the last twelve months.

“On behalf of our community, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the wonderful contribution you have made, we so appreciate it,” he said.

“We welcome our new citizens to this nation, to each of you, congratulations, what a wonderful choice you have made.

“Australia Day for me is a day to acknowledge this wonderful nation that as Australians we are all a part of. Whether our origins are with our First Nations people or if we are amongst our newest citizens, this day provides us with an opportunity to take time to be very Australian about Australia. So, let us be grateful and proud for being Australian.”

Australia Day award winners

Volunteer of the Year – Kamala Wheeler.

Kamala is known as the face of the local SES unit after volunteering for 34 years.

Volunteer Group/Sporting Group of the Year – Moree Cancer Support Group.

The group provides financial support and equipment for the Moree community, not only for cancer and palliative patients, but including the acute and community services at the Moree Hospital.

Sports Person of the Year – Jonah James.

A keen sportsman who has represented Moree in Moree Junior Soccer, Moree Junior Cricket, Moree Junior Rugby Union, Moree Junior Tennis, Moree Little Athletics and prior to their events ceasing he was also a member of the Moree Swimming Club and Moree Services Triathlon and Cycling Club.

Jonah has represented Moree at a state level in Little Athletics and has been a part of the representative side for Rugby Union.

Community Group of the Year – Airforce Cadets.

Air Force Cadets 339 Squadron of Moree is made up of 20 cadets.

These cadets have lifted the profile of young people honouring Australian Defence Force personnel, by carrying out dawn services and Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies in Moree and Pallamallawa.

Community Event of the Year – Moree on a Plate.

Run entirely by volunteers, this tourist attraction food festival showcases the vast array of food, wine and produce from Moree and the surrounding region.

Moree’s Citizen of the Year – Lloyd Munro Snr.

Lloyd is well respected within the Moree community and is known for his passion and commitment to his beloved Moree Boomerangs.

Lloyd has given the Moree community many hours of his time over the last forty years. He is an active board member for the Moree Boomerangs and chairperson of Miyay Birray Youth Service, deputy chair of the Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council, and Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, a member of the Moree Local Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group (AECG), Moree Secondary College, Moree East Primary School Reference Group, and the Moree Reconciliation Group.

Among those recipients recognised was Glen Crump as the newly honoured Mayor’s Award recipient.

Glen was chosen for the 2023 Australia Day Mayor’s Award for his continued passionate commitment and contribution to the Moree community.