TEA, coffee, damper and a barbecue lunch were just what doctors and nursing staff ordered at Moree District Hospital’s NAIDOC Week celebrations on Tuesday.

Members of the public joined hospital staff for a special morning tea and lunch in the hospital gardens, provided by the Aboriginal Health Peer Support Group.

Moree Lions Club provided steaks and sausages, with plenty of side dishes and sweets, under perfect spring-like weather.

Aboriginal Health education officer Sharlene Williams said the support group liaises with hospital management each year to support NAIDOC Week.

“Our group meets monthly and we organise NAIDOC Week events like this – anything at the hospital that’s relevant to the Moree community,” Sharlene said.

“We take ideas to an Aboriginal collaborative meeting and discuss them with managers.

“This is the second time we’ve had the damper competition, and we’ve had a marvellous roll-up this year.”

Hospital staff joined community members and visitors from across the district for some good old-fashioned damper and fine fare.

Frank Crump, one of Moree Hospital’s longest-serving employees with nearly 44 years’ service logged on his timesheet, said NAIDOC Week celebrations were important to the Moree community.

“This type of event, and NAIDOC Week in general, means a lot to the staff here at the hospital,” Frank said.

“It brings the community and staff together, and the organising committee have really turned it on today, as they do each year for NAIDOC Week and Moree Health.”

NAIDOC Week celebrations in Moree continue tonight with Moree Boomerangs Mini Debs at SHAE Academy from 5.30pm.

On Wednesday, a Naidoc Sitting Day will be observed at Moree Abcare’s Balo Street offices and a Dhiiyaan Cultural Day will be held at SHAE Academy between 10am and 2pm on Thursday.

Anglicare will also launch its Reconciliation Action Plan between 2pm and 3pm, Thursday.

An ASU-NAIDOC flag-raising ceremony will be held at Moree Court House at 11am on Friday and the following day, Moree Junior Rugby League Club will host the girls’ tackle Naidoc Week Cup at Boughton Oval for 13s, 15s and 17s teams.