WHEN 20 or 30 schoolkids perform in front of 120 seniors, magic happens – Christmas magic.

Students of Moree Public School Choir, from Year 1 through to Year 6, closed the 2025 Seniors Christmas lunch at Moree Services Club on Wednesday to rousing applause from more than 120 guests who sang along to a repertoire of festive favourites.

Led by Moree Public School’s resident maestro Erin Ross, with Marty Roberts on keyboard, the group of students delivered a flawless performance.

“Our Moree Public School choir always enjoys this event and get excited to be invited to perform each year,” Mrs Ross said.

“This is one of our favourite times of the year, and it’s definitely a favourite of mine.

“We have students ranging from Year 1 to Year 6 and meet each week to sing and prepare for many events throughout the year.

“Coming to sing for the seniors is one of our favourites – the kids love doing it.

“We’ve been preparing Christmas songs all term and will also perform at our presentation day next week,” she said.

The huge lunch is provided by Moree Seniors’ Week committee, led by secretary-treasurer Lorraine Bartel and her precious elves Sue Carter, Josephine Shaw, Nikki Bartel and Lyn Churchland.

“We’ve got a great committee who help put all this together, and we couldn’t do it without them,” Mrs Bartel said.

“We send out invitations to places like River Gums and Whiddon, and this year we’ve got about 120 people attending.”

Mrs Bartel said while volunteers put everything together each year, the seniors’ lunch would not be possible without two key supporters.

“We’re only able to put all this together because of the money we get from the Regional Australia Bank Community Partnership Program and support from Moree Services Club,” she said.

“Every year, the club provides the auditorium free of charge as well as all their staff. They do a great job and set everything up for us – it’s a wonderful gesture.”

Mrs Bartel said the icing on the Christmas cake this year was the Moree Public School Choir’s performance.

“The children are fantastic and again did a beautiful job singing Christmas carols – they’re great and the seniors really enjoy it every year,” she said.