THE latest edition of Moree local studies journal, Stories from the Plains, will be launched later today at Moree Community Library, with subscriber copies and hard copies available from tomorrow.

The free, quarterly journal, compiled by editor Adam Mitchell, is enriched with local and regional history, with the first edition for 2026 featuring an interview with well-known retired school teacher Dick O’Connor.

Mr O’Connor worked in education across the Moree region for more than 50 years.

He talks extensively about his experiences, different schools he worked at, origins of the Heferen Shield and general life in Moree during that time.

“The interview discusses the various schools Dick worked at and how they changed over time, as well as some novel anecdotes about daily life,” Mr Mitchell said.

He also provided some fascinating photographs of the schools he worked at.”

Stories from the Plains was launched this time last year, and is available in print or online in PDF format.

“To start the second year of Stories from the Plains, we have an exciting edition lined up,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We have a focus, item article on a letter from the first Sydney-Moree air-mail flight, which includes a look at Moree’s very own airline,” Mr Mitchell said.

Mr Mitchell details the airline and aircraft used for the service, which paved the way for the Sydney to Moree flight operating today.

Stories from the Plains Volume 5 also features a research article on the fires which swept through the Moree CBD in 1928.

“There is particular focus on the architectural and aesthetic changes upon the rebuilding of the three hotels that burned down,” Mr Mitchell said.

“This article is supported by a photo collection from the Australian National University, previously unseen by most people in Moree.

“These photographs of the Moree hotels show their architectural changes before and after being rebuilt, a change still visible on the building inscriptions,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said the Stories From the Plains concept has been met with overwhelming support from the public.

“I hope all readers can take something from each of these sections, and I again thank everyone for engaging in, and supporting, this journal,” he said.

Copies of Stories from the Plains Edition 5 will be available Moree Regional Library from Friday, February 6. Past editions, chock-full of Moree’s fascinating history, are also available.

PDF copies are available by joining a subscriber list.

Contact [email protected] for more information.