THE Gomeroi Nations Markets at Jellicoe Park on Sunday closed the curtain on a culturally significant week in Moree.

The local community came together during the week to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride.

On Saturday, nearly 4000 people lined Boughton Oval to watch the ABCARE Greater Western Challenge, won by Cabbage Tree Island Rugby League Football Club.

On Sunday at Jellicoe Park, Aboriginal art, crafts, clothing and giftware were offered by more than 20 stall-holders, as well as basket-weaving demonstrations from Mona Munro and traditional native foods from Yinarr-Ma Bush Tucker’s Kerrie Saunders.

The Gomeroi Nations Markets, supported by Moree Plains Shire Council, Tourism Moree, NSW Government, Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Miyay Birray, Arts North-West and JustReinvest NSW, also featured traditional dance and entertainment from Billy Pitt, Kyla-Belle and Lamonay Brown.

Markets’ co-organiser, Blossom Pitt, hopes the markets will become a regular event in Moree.

“In 2023, Moree hosted the Blak Markets, a different franchise, and later we got some community members and services together with an idea to create something that’s local and owned by Moree,” Blossom said.

“At one of our very first meetings, we came up with the name, Gomeroi Markets, and it’s the first of its kind.

“These markets represent the Gomeroi people, and the boundaries are not limited to Moree. It extends out past Tamworth, Narrabri, Wee Waa and Walgett – in every single direction – and that means stall-holders from all of those areas can take part, as long as their of Gomeroi descent,” Blossom said.

“That’s what makes these markets very authentic, and makes them quite unique.”

Blossom said the markets’ working group has established strong partnerships with the Department of Primary Industries and regional Development, Tourism Moree, Aboriginal Affairs, Miyay Birray and Moree Plains Shire Council.

“We’ve come together with other community members to make these markets happen, and we’re hoping they become something that’s driven by community, for community,” Blossom said.

And timing meant everything, Blossom said.

“With all the people already in town for the knock-out on Saturday, and with the Freedom Ride commemorations during the week, we thought we’d have these markets as the closing celebration on a big week for Moree,” Blossom said.

There are now tentative plans to merge the Gomeroi Nations Markets with the ABCARE Greater Western Challenge, which drew nearly 30 teams from across New South Wales and southern Queensland at the weekend.

“I spoke with one the knock-out’s major sponsors, ABCARE, and we’re looking at a partnership to tie in the Gomeroi Markets on the grounds at the knock-out every year, starting next year,” Blossom said.

Tourism Moree CEO Julie Rushby said the Gomeroi Nations Markets was a new and exciting event on Moree’s calendar.

“Tourism Moree is really excited to be part of the markets,” Julie said.

“We were part of the Blak Markets back in 2023, and we hope this become a regular event in Moree to attract visitors, and bring our community together.

“It’s been a real pleasure working with the group behind the markets, and when they were considering a day to hold them, they looked at the celebration of the Freedom Ride and the knock-out – it’s just a really nice fit,” Julie said.

Words and Images: Bill Poulos