About 250 residents gathered at the Moree Memorial Hall for the gala evening which celebrated reconciliation and positive achievements within the community.

This year the Elder of the Year awards were split into four categories including male and female, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.

The 2015 non-indigenous recipients were Reg Jamieson and Louise Adamson

This year’s Aboriginal winners were Norm Sampson and Maureen Newman.

The four were all overwhelmed, taking some time for the honour to sink in.

“I’m completely overwhelmed,” Reg said. “There’s a lot more people more worthy than me I think but I’m so grateful to have received this award. I’m absolutely blown away.”

Reg’s association with the Aboriginal community goes back to his football days when he drove the bus to games.

“The biggest thrill for me though was about 12 years ago when I found out my half brother Fred married an Aboriginal lady, Rita Wright, here in Moree. I used to visit their house every Wednesday and I always looked at a photo on their wall, wondering how the man fit in, and it turns out it was my brother. He lived here for 17 years before we knew.”

Uncle Norm, or “Pop” as he is affectionately known, was proud to be recognised by his community and gained great satisfaction in receiving the honour.

“It’s great to be honoured by people of all different ages within the community,” he said.

“I pass on the knowledge I got from my elders to the young people in our community.”

Meanwhile, Aunt Maureen nearly missed the event.

“I didn’t know. I just wanted to stay at home but the kids said I had to come so I got quite a surprise when my name was called… I’m not used to surprises,” she said. “I’m glad I did come.”

Aunt Maureen said she was appreciative to whomever nominated her for the award.

“This is a great town with some lovely people,” she said.

“You’ve got to have a heart for people and people love you to say nice things about them,” she said of her community involvement.

Louise was also grateful for her nomination.

“I feel absolutely privileged,” she said.

“It’s a little too much to take in. Getting up on that stage and looking at all those people was so good. Life is a journey so travel well.”

Louise had a strong message in the theme of reconciliation: “The only colours you need to worry about are in the ones you separate in the laundry.”

Moree Reconciliation Week Committee member Cathy Duncan said the night was inspiring.

“A lot of people do good work and they don’t always get recognised,” Ms Duncan said.

“It’s good to see the community, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, banding together to celebrate. And it was a great chance to get to know our own community and honour our unsung heroes,” she said.

“Everything about the night is voluntary and we get a lot of support from the town.

“Sista Speak and Clontarf students assisted with the service on the night and it was great to our up and coming role models volunteering.

“We got a lot of comments on the hall’s set up, the decorations, and how professional it all was. Someone even joked about it being the Moree Academy Awards. Local artists Anne Johnson and Janelle Boyd created artworks donated to each award winner, along with packs from Tourism Moree.”

Other winners this year included: 

Aboriginal Citizen of the Year: Dawn Blanch

Citizen of the Year: Kerry Cassells

Aboriginal Youth of the Year: Sam Barker (?? Years) and Elyne Tighe (five to 12 years)

Non-Aboriginal Youth of the Year: Skye Spooner (?? Years) and Braith Rohde (five to 12 years)

Aboriginal Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Jordan McKenzie (13-18 years), Jayda Craigie (five to 12 years)

Non-Aboriginal Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Tomasz Kowalski (13-18 years) and Shelby Thompson-Graham (five to 12 years)

Business of the Year: Moree Plains Shire Council

Community Group of the Year: Sisters Group

Albert Dennison Caring for Country Award: Jane Humphries

SBT: Chelsea Carter