FOR 12 months of the year, the Moree Show Society committee works behind the scenes to put on two days of entertainment excellence – and the hardworking team, led by president Brendan Munn and his wife, show secretary Karen Munn, had all bases covered at the 2026 Moree Show at the weekend.
The 142nd edition of the Moree Show was officially opened on Saturday afternoon by State Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and Federal Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey.
“It’s been another fantastic show,” Mr Moylan said.
“The show committee does an incredible job. Twelve months’ worth of work goes into two days of entertainment – it’s a lot of work, and a credit to the committee.”
Mr Moylan said rising fuel prices, the onset of drought, and global tensions, were put to one side for a weekend of entertainment and near-record numbers across all exhibits.
“It’s strange times at the moment, with fuel costs and everything that’s going on in the world,” Mr Moylan said.
“The fact there were 40 entries in the cattle section and plenty of exhibitors, is testament to our little town and our community.”
Mr Chaffey was equal in his praise for the often, unrecognised work – all voluntary – that makes the Moree Show a success.
“The committee puts in a lot of work,” Mr Chaffey said.
“Putting on a show like this doesn’t happen overnight and I’m sure Brendan (Munn) and his team will probably start as early as tomorrow to plan next year’s show – that’s how much is involved to make an event like this possible.
“This is the time of year when the community comes together to celebrate, and that’s very important.
“There are some tough times at the moment. Regional Australia is certainly feeling the pinch and it’s important at times like this for regional communities to band together,” he said.
Moree Show Society president Brendan Munn announced several special awards on Saturday.
Felicity Whibley received the Moree Show Society Volunteer Award and James Litchfild was named the Brian RK Jones Memorial Committee Person of the Year recipient.
The prestigious Best Herdsman Dom Young Memorial Award is also presented as part of the cattle section.
This year, the award went to Sarah Page, a Year 12 student from Mount Russell, near Inverell.
“The Dom Young Award is to encourage young people in the agricultural industry, and Sarah plans to study a degree in agriculture and teaching to become an ag teacher,” Mr Munn said.
“The volunteer award is for someone who isn’t a committee member, and Felicity has stepped up in recent years and put her all into helping.
“Felicity and her sister-in-law Lisa, a committee member, have been looking after the cattle section for the last couple of years. Felicity organised sponsorship and did all the running around town for the cattle section this year. There were 40 entries – an incredible number,” he said.
“James is an unassuming type of bloke who works hard as a Moree Show committee member, and it was an honour to present him with the Brian Jones Memorial Award.”
Mr Litchfield humbly accepted the shield and extra-large, thermos-style coffee mug.
“I wasn’t expecting that, and everyone on the committee is always there to help me out with all the little jobs,” he said.
Felicity Whibley said she prefers to go about her chores unnoticed.
“I like to fly under the radar,” she smiled.
“A few years ago, Lisa asked me to help her get the cattle section back, and each year it’s just got better and better.
“The show committee has stood beside us. We’ve got a new cattle shed, wash bays and a fitted ramp.
“This year, we received double the amount of entries we expected – and we’re very happy about that,” she said.
Congratulations to all involved and another successful Moree Show.
We wish we could have been there.