A barbecue lunch on Saturday catered for by Moree Lions Club closed a busy, week-long Seniors’ Festival in Moree.

Festival co-ordinator, Lorraine Bartel, and her husband, Rob – the recently crowned Moree Plains Shire Senior Citizen of the Year – hosted the lunch on the grounds of their picturesque Gwydirfield property.

More than 60 people attended and were treated to a lunch fit for a lion, as well as entertainment from Moree Ukelele Band.

“It’s a nice social outing to wind up the Seniors’ Festival, and the Ukelele group is always good,” Mrs Bartel said.

“Lions have been fantastic and did everything. They did all the cooking and set everything up – as well as a $5000 donation to help with our Seniors’ Festival.

“That means we’ve now also got enough money for the Christmas lunch later in the year,” she smiled.

The Seniors’ Festival in Moree started with bingo and morning tea at Pius X on Monday, a movie and treats morning at Moree Regional Library on Tuesday and lunch, entertainment and the Senior Citizen of the Year announcement at Moree Services Club on Wednesday.

On Thursday night there was social bowls at the club and bingo and morning tea at Moree Care on Friday.

“Everyone spoke about the entertainment on Wednesday, and Moree Services Club sponsored everything – they always do,” Mrs Bartel said.

“The club has always been a great supporter over the years. They never charge us for the hall and always supply the entertainment – they can’t do enough for us.”

This year, nearly 200 people were entertained by Gold Logie winner John Wood and vocalist, musician and front man from Rock around the World, Dave Allen with their stage show, Our Rock & Roll Journey.

“We also get a donation from the Regional Australia Bank Community Partnership program and for a few years we were the beneficiaries of the Melbourne Cup calcutta at Moree Services Club, and even that was topped up by the club,” Mrs Bartel said.

“We had good numbers at all the different events this year. There were about 20 bowlers on Thursday night and the club donated vouchers for the winners and runners-up. The club is very good to us, and can’t do enough.”

Mrs Bartel said the Moree Seniors’ Festival would not be possible without generous donations from numerous organisations across the Moree shire.

These include Pius X, Moree Community Library, Moree and District Services Club, Moree Services Bowling Club, Moree Care, Moree Lions Club, Moree Plains Shire Council, Regional Australia Bank and Moree Ukulele Group.

“All these people and organisations donate premises, their time and money to ensure the seniors can enjoy a great week with their friends,” she said.

Related stories:

Rob Bartel named Moree Senior Citizen of the Year

Pius X Morning Tea and Bingo Launches Seniors’ Week

Words and Images: Bill Poulos