New Facebook page launched to guide Moree residents through uncertain times

AMID the chaos and confusion that is COVID-19, a new social media community page has been created in Moree to help local businesses, vital services and charitable and sporting organisations get the message out about changes to once-traditional procedures and operational systems.

The new page is also a platform for event organisers and sporting bodies to announce cancellations and postponements in the coming months.

Two of Moree’s biggest annual events – Moree on a Plate and the Moree Show – are the latest victims of new measures introduced to limit the number of patrons at outdoor events in a bid to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

Moree on a Plate, scheduled for early May, has been cancelled and Moree Show dates – traditionally in April – have been postponed until August 14-15.

Moree on a Plate, a significant regional event that has been held uninterrupted for 16 years, draws more than 4000 visitors and locals annually.

Organisers are devastated “for our producers, for which MOP is such an effective and profitable platform, our local suppliers, whose businesses rely on these large scale events, and our community, which has embraced this signature festival for the past 16 years”.

“However, in these uncertain times, the health of our community is paramount.”

Moree Show dates have been postponed from late April to August 14-15 (Image: Bill Poulos).

The Moree Seniors’ Festival programmed for March 29 to April 9 has been cancelled and events and all public programs at Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM) have been closed until the end of April.

The popular museum is still open to the public during normal operating hours, with the Archibald Prize currently exhibiting until Saturday, May 2.

“If you are feeling well and looking to experience art, we are here and we are open,” BAMM said in a statement.

Country Kids’ Festival Moree – a new and exciting event scheduled for September 5 – has been cancelled until a new date can be found in 2021.

Moree NAIDOC Week celebrations and Ballet Workshops Australia events in Moree have been postponed and Jellicoe Park Moree Markets scheduled for the first Sunday in April and May have been cancelled.

Moree Veterans’ Week of Golf, the NSW ICPA Moree Conference and all ANZAC Day activities have also been cancelled.

Smaller events across the north and north-west have been abandoned or postponed and businesses both large and small are changing traditional trading methods to adapt to strict new requirements introduced by state and federal governments.

Site administrator Tanya Fitch said the Facebook page – Moree Business, Community and Service Hub – was the brainchild of fellow administrator Chantel McKibbin and created to help keep the Moree community informed and updated.

“People need to know how local community organisations, businesses and services will now deliver their services, products, and organise events with the ongoing COVID-19 situation,” Ms Fitch said.

“In these current times of uncertainty, there are many local businesses, community organisations and services that are altering the way they deliver services and products to the local community and outlying areas across the vast Moree Plains Shire.”

Ms Fitch said the page aims to inform Moree residents of how various services will now be delivered and for businesses and organisations to post important announcements.

“The page is also an avenue for them to share links to their own social media pages and to advertise and promote their businesses and events,” Ms Fitch said.

“Many scheduled events are being cancelled or postponed and announcements regarding these can be posted directly to the page to keep the community informed.”

Click link to join: https://www.facebook.com/Moree-Community-Business-and-Service-Hub-105447181098127/

Words and Image: Bill Poulos