MOREE Plains Shire Council will again support Waterloo Creek Memorial and Survival Day commemorations at Jellicoe Park after hosting Australia Day ceremonies on January 26.

Council will contribute $5000 from the Tourism and Economic Development Fund to provide entertainment as well as help with marquees, chairs, tables and bottled water.

Earlier in the day, Council will host the Moree Plains 2026 Australia Day Awards and ceremony.

Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse said at the December 18 ordinary council meeting, Council should again support commemorations of Waterloo Creek as it has done in previous years.

“In our shire, this day also has distinct meaning for our Gamilaroi people, given it also coincides with the date of the 1838 Waterloo Creek massacre, which occurred in the border of our shire,” Cr Pearse told councillors.

“For our shire, it is also a day of mourning, while also being a day of celebration.”

Aboriginal performers will provide dance and entertainment, with Council offering support through the Signature Event budget.

“This is no additional cost to Council,” Cr Pearse said.

Councillor Fred McGrady said Survival Day is a day to celebration of Aboriginal culture and reconciliation.

“It is a day not only for the Aboriginal community, as there are also many people from the community there together, embracing the culture – both cultures – and acknowledging the past, and the crimes of the past,” Cr McGrady said.

During the morning, Australia Day will be celebrated at Jellicoe Park, with nominations now open for the Moree Plains 2026 Australia Day Awards.

Categories include Citizen of the Year (over 25 years); Young Citizen of the Year (aged 14-25 years); Community Event of the Year; Community or Volunteer Group of the Year; Sports Person of the Year (over 18 years); Young Sports Person of the Year ( under 18 years); and Volunteer of the Year.

Nominations can be made online at Moree Plains Australia Day Awards 2026 Nominate HERE.

Nominations are open until 5pm, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, with hardcopies at Council’s Customer Service in the Max Centre.

Passionate mental health advocate and founder of not-for-profit organisation Tradies In Sight, Bruno Efoti, has been named Australia Day ambassador.

Cr Pearse strongly encourages the community to get behind dedicated shire locals and nominate individuals and groups for the 2026 Australia Day Awards.

“With so many worthy ambassadors within the Moree Plains, these awards provide a chance to acknowledge our community champions, those who generously volunteer their time and skills without seeking recognition, yet continue to make a lasting and positive impact on the lives of others,” Cr Pearse said.

Meanwhile, some council services are closed or have altered operating hours during the Christmas-New Year break, with all services and facilities resuming as normal from Monday, January 5, 2026.

For landfill opening hours across the shire, go to Villages Landfill Opening Hours.

All landfills will be closed on New Year’s Day and operate as normal on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Kerbside garbage, recycling and organics collections will be as normal.

Gwydir Daycare and Pre-School is currently closed and will reopen at 7.45am on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Moree Community Library is closed and will reop at 10am Monday, January 5, 2026.

Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre will reopen at 10am Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

Moree Regional Airport will operate as usual.

For ranger services, call the after-hours service on 6757 3222 to access for emergencies.

The water filling station at Maude Street, near the Council depot, is available 24/7.

Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre is open Mondays to Fridays, from 6am-7pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am-6pm, with varied hours on public holidays.

These include New Years Eve from 6am-5pm and New Year’s Day from 10am-5pm.

Mungindi Municipal Pool will be open Mondays and Thursdays from 6.30am-1pm and 3pm-6pm.

Hours on Tuesdays are 2pm-6pm; Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-2pm and 3pm-6pm; and Sundays 10am-2 pm and  pm-6pm.

Mungindi Municipal Pool will be closed Saturday and Sunday, December 27-28. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday operational hours are subject to change due to staffing.

Boomi Artesian Baths operate Monday to Friday from 1pm-6pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-6pm.

For all details, got to Council Services and Facilities for Christmas and New Year Break.