COLOUR runs, pool parties and craft and movie days – school holiday fun with important social and wellbeing information is being rolled out across Moree Plains Shire this month, with more events planned in the coming weeks.

The Moree Plains Holiday Program, funded by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, includes events at Moree, Boggabilla, Ashley, Mungindi and Pallamallawa.

Moree Plains Shire Council has partnered with Centacare Moree, the Salvation Army and Moree Lions Club to provide free holiday fun, food and activities across the shire.

About 150 children, parents and carers enjoyed a day out at Boughton Oval on Wednesday, with a colour run, inflatable water slides and plenty of giveaways.

Children enjoyed fun obstacles and gooey slime, as well as water slides and tyre-hurdling as they navigated the colour run obstacle course.

All participants received free rainbow sunglasses and rainbow headbands.

Moree Plains Shire Council community liaison officer, Jacqui Moore, said a big crowd attended the Boughton Oval event.

“There were at least 150 kids here for the colour run – we gave out 150 pairs of sunglasses – and about another 40 or 50 arrived a little later,” Ms Moore said.

“These events give kids another option during the school holidays, and funding to put them on was received through the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

“There’s an informative, education format involved as well, and the main focus this year is vaping, and to make people more aware about the dangers.

“These events are about educating kids about the harms of vaping, as well as the new laws around vaping.

“The day has been a great success. Overall, there were more than 200 people,” she said.

The holiday program started at Midkin Park, Ashley on January 8, with craft sessions and a colour run.

A full colour run was held at Rigby Oval, Pallamallawa on January 13, followed by Wednesday’s full colour run at Boughton Oval.

“We had 40 or 50 kids at Ashley and about 60 or 70 kids out at Pally,” Ms Moore said.

“Moree Family Support helped with that one, and brought out their vacation care kids, with funding paying for the bus to bring them out.”

The fun heads to Boggabilla tomorrow, Friday, January 17.

“We’ll have all the inflatables, which will be great for the Boggabilla kids,” Ms Moore said.

“Winangali Infusion are partnering with us, and they’ll provide transport to take the Boggabilla and Toomelah kids to the oval.

“After Boggabilla, we’ll head to Mungindi. The program is not only about the colour runs – there’s also craft and movie days at Ashley and the Pally Hall, and we’re having a pool party at Mungindi as well as a colour run,” Ms Moore said.

Words: Bill Poulos (Images: Supplied)

Moree Plains Holiday Program

Boggabilla Full Colour Run

When: Friday, January 17

Where: Boggabilla Oval

Time: 10am – 1pm

Mungindi Pool Party

When: Monday, January 20

Where: Mungindi Pool

Time: 10am – 1pm

Pallamallawa Craft and Movie

When: Wednesday, January 22

Where: Pally Hall

Time: 10am – 1pm

Mungindi Full Colour Run

When: Wednesday, January 29

Where: Mungindi Oval

Time: 10am – 1pm