PERFECT autumn weather, fine food and a few thousand people – Moree on a Plate 2025 was an event for the ages.

Held at Moree racecourse under clear blue skies and sparkling weather, Moree on a Plate on Saturday showcased producers from across regional New South Wales and Queensland who catered for the masses.

Creatives like Moree on a Plate artist-in-residence Natasha Tuart, as well as entertainers Jac Lillyman and the Moree Ukulele Group, kept the atmosphere buzzing.

Renowned food writer, Roberta Muir, hosted live cooking demonstrations using locally grown fare, and also helped judge the Mixed Grill Barbecue Cook-Off competition, won by Moree agronomists Lizzy Weber and Priscilla McPhee from Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Fresh, locally-grown olives, pecans, oranges, pasta and wines, and a pop-up restaurant from Brooker Trading Co featuring mouthwatering pizzas and thirst-quenching margueritas, meant Moree on a Plate satisfied all palates.

Committee president, Bec McMillan, was astounded by the overwhelming response to Moree’s signature event.

“We have an amazing group of producers and the day has been so well supported. By midday, the entire venue was full – the lines were huge,” Bec said.

“It just goes to show, no matter what happens in the community, Moree absolutely shows up and really supports events like this.

“It’s been a tough year, but we’ve still got 50 producers and that says it all, and they keep coming back every year,” she said.

“Last year it poured rain, and this year there’s perfect weather – we couldn’t ask for a better day.”

Bec and her husband, Justin, relocated to Moree from Warren in 2018, and were quickly welcomed in the community.

“I’m only new to the committee and I’ve been in the role of president for two years,” Bec said.

“Margi Kirkby, the matriarch of Moree on a  Plate, invited me to come along and meet people and since then, it’s just been amazing.

“I love it – Moree on a Plate is a real community event and really brings people together, and showcases everything Moree has to offer.”

Moree on a Plate’s small committee works tirelessly for months on end to bring the event to Moree.

“We have a great committee, and it’s a lot of hard work, but Moree on a Plate has a ‘village’,” Bec said.

“And that village comes to town when setting up needs to be done. On Friday, we had volunteers showing up from 7am, and they were there until 7pm.

“These aren’t committee members; these are people who turn up simply to help – it gives me goosebumps,” she said.

Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, praised the hardworking committee and the many vendors who log the miles to support Moree on a Plate.

“It’s one of the biggest events on the local calendar, and it’s great that Moree can showcase what a great town we have,” he said.

“I think it’s one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen at Moree on a Plate for quite a while. It’s a great weekend, and full credit to the committee who put it all together, because there is a lot of work that goes into putting on an event this size.

“There are stalls and vendors from right across New South Wales, which shows just how big Moree on a Plate is getting.

“We get a lot of bad press, but this is the real Moree,” he said.

Moree on a Plate, first held in 2004, also raises money for local organisations and community groups through raffle ticket sales and fundraising initiatives.

To date, more than $70,000 has been donated to several groups, including Moree District Hospital, Moree PCYC, Moree Secondary College, Moree Women’s Refuge, Meals on Wheels, Moree Scout Group, Friends of Moree Regional Botanic Gardens, Moree Arts Community Theatre, Moree Cancer Support Group and the Country Education Foundation of Moree.

This year, money raised from a huge raffle offering more than 40 prizes, will be donated to Moree and District Historical Society and Moree Plains Museum.

Moree Plains Shire deputy mayor and self-confessed foodie, Wayne Tighe, said Moree on a Plate was again an incredible event, and catered for all ages.

“The food and all the stalls are absolutely beautiful, and it’s a credit to the committee for what they’ve been able to create,” he said.

“The community has really turned up and supported the event and there are many, many visitors from across the region.

“It’s fantastic to see so many people, and so many kids – it’s amazing.

“The kids are having just as good a time as the parents, and it’s great to see everyone of all ages catered for – Moree on a Plate is a fantastic family day out,” he said.

Words and Images: Bill Poulos