A new edition of Stories from the Plains will be published this week, with editor Adam Mitchell saying there is one important change to the free, quarterly journal enriched with local and regional history – its name.

The local studies journal, previously published as Stories of our Town, has been rebadged Stories from the Plains to further showcase the Moree district’s fascinating history.

Stories from the Plains, available soon in print or online in PDF format, is a collaboration between Moree Plains Shire Council and Big Sky Libraries, and compiled and edited by Mr Mitchell, Moree Regional Library’s local studies and digitisation officer.

“This journal grew out of a desire to bring the local studies archive to the public and foster community engagement with our town and district’s diverse history,” Mr Mitchell said.

“This is a special town with many stories to tell, and I feel privileged to be given the trust and platform to bring these stories to light.”

Stories from the Plains is the third edition of the Moree local studies Journal.

Mr Mitchell said he was overwhelmed by the response from the public after the first journal was launched earlier this year.

A second journal was published in April, with the current edition available this week.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported this initiative,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We already have an established subscriber list as well as many who pick up copies from the library. “The interest in these journals will only grow with each edition and I want to thank Moree Plains Shire Council and the CCL team for allowing me the time and funding to create the project and continue with each edition,” he said.

The Moree Regional Library was officially opened on August 10, 1956. Prior to this, several iterations of a town library existed in different locations, such as the School of Arts and old Council Chambers.

The third edition of Stories from the Plains features an article about the 1919 Boolooroo Shire Peace Loan and the history behind peace and war loans during the Great War.

There is also an oral history Interview with Raquel Clarke, head of collections at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Resource Centre and respected member of the Gomeroi and Gamilaroi communities.

A research article on the 1956 opening of Moree District Regional Library, with photos from the official opening, also features.

“The July edition begins with a look at World War 1 peace loans, and focuses on the plaque given to the Boolooroo Shire Council which is now held in the Moree Regional Library archives. The plaque is a fascinating piece of local history,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Stories from the Plains also includes an oral history interview with the incredible Raquel Clarke, who has been a fixture at Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Resource Centre for more than a decade.

“Raquel offers moving insights into her life and early memories of Moree, as well as outlining how she came to the Dhiiyaan Centre and why it is important to her,” Mr Mitchell said.

Copies of Stories from the Plains will be available Moree Regional Library from Friday, July 25.

PDF copies are available by joining a subscriber list.

Contact [email protected] for more information.