MOREE Plains Shire Council’s schedule of events for Australia Day will take place at Jellicoe Park from 8am tomorrow with Australia Day ambassador, Bruno Efoti and a free breakfast supplied by Moree Lions Club.

There are eight categories, including Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Community or Volunteer Group of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, Young Sports Person of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Moree Plains deputy mayor Wayne Tighe, the 2024 Moree Citizen of the Year, will present a special mayoral award, won last year by Beth Hearn, and Moree councillor Fred McGrady will deliver a Welcome to Country.

Shire residents nominated for awards include Ron Clissold, Betty Courts, Sue Poole, Gabrielle Suckling, Corey Scriven, Isabella Boland, Todd Mitchell, Michael McNamara, Polly Cutmore, Marty Roberts, Meryl Dillon, Sara-Lee Warrener, Kamala Wheeler, Rhonda Gallagher and Malachi Hughes.

Organisations and clubs nominated include Moree Uniting Hospital Auxiliary, Moree Public School P&C, Pallamallawa War Memorial Hall committee, Moree Lions Club, Moree Arts Community Theatre and Mungindi Community Education Association.

Events nominated include Run the Plains, Greater Western Rugby League Knock-out Challenge and NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament.

“There are quite a few nominations for all categories this year, and it’s great to see our local volunteers, organisations and events being recognised like this by the community,” Cr Tighe said.

Following the Australia Day citizenship ceremony and awards, there will be a memorial event for the Waterloo Creek massacre, followed by a Survival Day celebration.

Walk from the Courthouse to Jellicoe Park will commence at 11am, with Survival Day celebrations in Jellicoe Park, featuring free barbecue  and guest speakers.

Australia Day ceremonies will take place at Jellicoe Park from 8am tomorrow, with a free breakfast supplied by Moree Lions Club to start celebrations.

As Australia Day is a national public holiday, Moree Plains Shire Council advises all residents of the following changes to services and facilities on January 26.

Residents can continue to contact Council 24 hours a day on (02) 6757 3222 for after-hours telephone service, including public holidays.

WASTE SERVICES

Kerbside garbage and recycling collection will operate as normal on Monday, 26 January.

Landfills

Moree Waste Management Facility will be open on Monday from 9am to 1pm.

Mungindi Landfill will be closed.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre

The Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre and waterslide will operate normal hours over the Australia Day long weekend, including Monday.

Waterslide open from 1pm to 4pm.

Mungindi Municipal Pool

The Mungindi pool will operate normal hours over the Australia Day long weekend period, including Monday.

Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre

The Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre will be closed Monday.

Gwydir Day Care and Pre-School

The centre will be closed Monday, 26 January and will reopen on Tuesday, 27 January at 7:45am.

Library Services

The Moree Community Library will be closed Monday.

Moree Regional Airport

Moree Regional Airport will operate as usual.

Ranger Services

The Rangers Administration team will be unavailable from 5pm Friday, January 23 and will reopen 8.30am Tuesday, January 27.

For emergencies, please contact the after-hours service on (02) 6757 3222. This is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Water Filling Station, Moree Depot, Tycannah Street

The Water Filling Station will operate as normal on Monday.