JUNIOR debutantes and their partners wowed audiences at two Moree Boomerangs Mini-Deb Balls this week at SHAE Academy as part of local NAIDOC Week celebrations.

The mini-deb balls, opened by Moree Elder Lloyd Munro, were held Monday and Tuesday night, and featured more than 60 debutantes and their partners.

The balls, supported by Abcare and Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council, are part of Moree Boomerangs’ 100-year anniversary celebrations.

They also acknowledge the 40-year anniversary of the Boomerangs’ NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knock-Out win against Newcastle All-Blacks in 1985, held in Moree.

“The working crew has worked very hard these past couple of months to put all this together, and what we saw with the mini debs was just amazing,” Mr Munro said.

Debutantes as young as four proudly graced the red carpet with their handsome partners, wowing the audience as they made their debut.

Moree NAIDOC Week working group lead Adam See said the Moree Boomerangs Rugby League Club has worked tirelessly to celebrate two significant milestones in the club’s rich sporting history.

“The club hosted two nights of mini debutante balls to bring some positive, uplifting whole-of-community events to NAIDOC Week,” Mr See said.

Over two nights, more than 100 kids aged between four and 10 participated with crowds of more than 100 people attending each night.

“These events were not only significant in acknowledging the Moree Boomerangs’ milestone, but were a way of giving back to the community with two nights to remember,” Mr See said.

Mr Munro said the Boomerangs have a big season ahead, with important celebrations planned.

“This year, the Boomerangs are celebrating 100 years’ and 40 years’ rugby league success, and are also involved in a lot of other functions this week. For the 100 years, we have a dinner-dance arranged before this year’s knock-out,” Mr Munro said.

The 2025 NSW Koori Knockout will be held in Tamworth at the Riverside Sporting Complex from October 3 to October 6 – the first time Tamworth has hosted the event, which brings teams from across New South Wales to compete.

“Also, this Saturday is Women in League day, celebrating our girls and all the ladies that support our club, as well as all our supporters,” he said.

NAIDOC celebrations continue this week.

On Wednesday, a NAIDOC Sitting Day in conjunction with OzFish will be observed at The Weir, featuring grass-skirt weaving, building fish houses and a barbecue lunch.

A Dhiiyaan Cultural Day will be held at SHAE Academy between 10am and 2pm on Thursday, with painting, weaving, jewellery-making, traditional games, kids’ corner and entertainment.

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

An Aboriginal Services Unit 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.

Images courtesy of NAIDOC Moree and Darryl French