Getting in some early practise before the official ceremonies began, the newly formed Moree bagpipe band practised away as people started to arrive for an early morning breakfast hosted by Moree Plains Shire Council.
People trickled up the stairs in Balo Street drawn in by the tasty smell of a cooked breakfast which wafted out the door and down the street.
Mayor Katrina Humphries had the pleasure in welcoming the ambassador for the day, Tony Trimingham.
Mr Trimingham thanked Moree and congratulated the town on its wealth and friendly faces.
Councillor Humphries soon enough started the award giving with the Community Event of the Year award going to Moree Youth Council’s Moree Superstar.
The representative for youth council was Timothy Tattam.
The next award was the Community Group of the Year, received by the Moree Lions Ladies for being the backbone of the Lions club.
Young Australian of the Year was awarded to Rebecca Byrne who was awarded for her contributions to her community and volunteer work.
The last award to be officially awarded was the Citizen of the Year award, which was won by Sheila Campbell for all of her work around town and with Gwydir Industries.
A surprise award was then handed out with the microphone handed to Michele Maurer who spoke of a man who had been in the town band for 50 years.
Gary Gardener received a medal and framed letter from Katrina and the town band.
Garry Gardner - 50 years with the town band
IN Moree on January 1962 a 15-year-old boy made the decision to join the Moree District Band.
Little did he realise that half a century later he would still be in the band playing his trombone. This man is named Garry Gardner.
During this time Garry has been a dedicated player and has also held several long-term executive positions within the organisation.
In fact, Garry has held the position of president for a longer period of time than any other person in the band’s history.
Garry has a strong sense of what it is to be a band member.
“It is about serving the community that supports you and doing the best with what you’ve got,” he said.
Garry was also an award winner at the Australia Day awards ceremony, receiving a medal and framed letter for his astounding commitments and years with the Moree District Band.
There was a standing novation for Garry as his name was called by band member Michele Maurer.
Michele was thankful for everything Garry had ever done for Moree’s band.
“He continues to make his way through life with commitment, a strong sense of community and an old-fashioned work ethic,” she said.
Garry was strongly mentored in music and in life by his old mate, Ted Newbery.
Garry was part of the era when practising several times a week was an expectation and non-attendance was just not an option. As well as practise sessions, there was always some fundraising venture to attend but this was all done with good cheer.
During the 1970s the Moree District Band, under Ted Newbery’s direction, competed in both state and national band events advancing to the B Grade level. Garry was a part of all this and has reminisced about the times when thousands of Moree residents would line the streets to cheer the victorious Moree District Band upon their return to town.
Country life has changed greatly in the last 50 years; so many towns have lost their community bands, but the Moree and District Band remains intact.
Undoubtedly, Garry has been instrumental in the continued success of this organisation.
Sheila Campbell - Citizen of the Year
THE 2012 Citizen of the Year was awarded to Sheila Campbell.
Sheila has been a part of Gwydir Industries for the past 34 years and in that time she has been secretary among various other things.
She also volunteers at Fairview nursing home every Wednesday assisting with mass and morning tea. Sheila has been doing this for the past 10 to 12 years. Sheila was a founding member of the Gwydir Handicapped School Auxiliary in Moree in 1967.
Not long after she set-up the Parents and Friends of the Disabled of Moree in 1992, undergoing positions as both secretary and president since.
Sheila dedicates her time and energy to various organisations within Moree while being a full-time, hands-on parent of a child with a disability.
When the award was being presented Sheila had no idea she was the recipient. “Thank you; I had no idea this was going to happen… I just want to thank everyone so much,” Sheila said.
Rebecca Byrne - Young Citizen of the Year
YOUNG Australian of the Year was awarded to Rebecca Byrne who was recognised for her contributions to the community and her volunteer work.
Rebecca is a part of the Moree Show Society, organiser of Little Athletics, member of the Women's Agronomy Group and a finalist in the 2012 RAS Rural Achievers Award.
Rebecca is described as community minded as she loves helping others in Moree. Her passion is for the land and she loves working as an agronomist.
Moree Youth Council - Event of the Year
THE Community Event of the Year was awarded to Moree Youth Council’s Moree Superstar.
The representative for youth council was Timothy Tattam. Moree Superstar is one of the projects organised by the youth council as part of the annual Youth Week in April. The event is a music competition which involves young people aged from eight to 24 years from Moree and the surrounding areas including individual and group performances. Each year the competition gets bigger and better with more entries, audience members and guest judges.
Lions Ladies - Community Group of the Year
THIS year the Community Group of the Year was awarded to the Moree Lions Ladies for being the backbone of the Lions club. The Moree Lions Ladies formed as a club in May 1957.
Their first, big event was the pensioners Christmas party the same year of formation and has been held annually since.
The Lions Ladies are always helping the Lions club with flood clean-ups and hosting exchange student programs.
This group also organises the Golden Grain ball, the elderly’s weekly shops and many other things.
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