History group celebrates 30 years

Society member, Joan Hetherington, will lead the walk visiting a number of grave sites.

President, Michael McNamara, said the sites would be of people who were significant to the history of Moree.

“Whilst we track down our family trees and history of our families, we also enjoy researching the history of Moree so we thought a cemetery walk would be fitting during the celebrations,” he said.

Although Mr McNamara did not know what sites would be viewed, he knew they would be included in the ‘Grave Matters’ and ‘Further Grave Matters’ publications by the society.

On Saturday a luncheon will also be held for all Gwydir Family History Society members and their families. 

“It is anticipated that at least two inaugural members will be present on the day. We are looking forward to the lunch and hopefully a few stories will be shared,” Mr McNamara said.

On April 30, 1984 a public meeting was organised by Elli Cruickshank regarding locals’ interest to form a family history society in Moree.

“There were 28 people at the meeting and eight apologies were made so a resolution was passed that the first meeting for the society would be held on May 14, 1984,” he said.

The first executive society was compromised of president Marcia Ritchie, secretary Elli Cruickshank and treasurer June Heffernan.

“The society has had many homes over the years but we are now housed in the research room of the library. Our meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month at 12.30pm,” he said.

The society also recently purchased an $8000 ScanPro 800 microfilm reader after receiving a grant from the government.

For further information on the luncheon, cemetery walk or the society in general, call Michael McNamara on 0429 608 244.