MOREE shire residents have until 5pm, Friday, January 10 to nominate individuals and community groups for the 2025 Australia Day Awards.

Moree Plains Shire mayor, Susannah Pearse, encourages residents to get behind the awards and nominate individuals and groups who have made a significant voluntary contribution to the Moree Plains community.

“We are blessed to have so many people and local clubs passionate about Moree Plains and contribute so much to our community,” Cr Pearse said.

“Now is the time to recognise the outstanding contribution of our region’s inspirational and unsung heroes.”

Last year’s Moree Citizen of the Year Award went to Wayne Tighe, who later in the year was elected to council and installed deputy mayor.

The 2024 Volunteer of the Year went Moree Show Society president Brendan Munn and Ben Picton was named Sportsperson of the Year.

The 2024 Young Sportsperson Award went to Ben’s son, Jack Picton, and Moree Show Society was named Community Group of the Year.

Community Event of the Year went to Pally Bush Markets and Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to singer Kyla-Belle Roberts, who released her first single in early December.

The 2024 Mayoral Award went to Moree’s own maestro, Marty Roberts, who leads the Moree Town Band and is facilitator and instructor of the Moree Ukulele Group.

The 2024 Australia Day Awards drew a big crowd to Jellicoe Park.

This year, Moree Plains Shire Council are asking for nominations in the following categories:

Citizen of the Year (over 25 years);

Young Citizen of the Year (aged 16-25 years);

Community Event of the Year;

Community/Volunteer Group of the Year;

Sports Person of the Year;

Young Sports Person of the Year; and

Volunteer of the Year.

The 2025 Australia Day Award nominations are open until 5pm, Friday, January 10, 2025.

Nominations can be completed online, or for a hardcopy go to Council’s Customer Service, Level 2, 30 Heber Street, Moree or from the Moree Community Library.

Go to council’s website to nominate online: https://www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au/