As was the case recently, when a number of families converged from across Australia to gather and celebrate at the Moree Town and Country Club.

On what would have been the 100th birthday of the late Joan Bell (Holmes), family and friends embraced the opportunity to drink a toast to her in their beloved hometown.

Her daughter, Vickie Ciddor of Moss Vale organised a special luncheon at the club, and was thrilled so many family members could attend.

“We all live so far apart and often only catch up fleetingly at weddings or funerals, so it was lovely to sit, relax, share family history and really have a proper chat,” she said.

And with the Moree Town and Country Club also tightly weaved throughout the family history, it was an opportune venue to celebrate.

“The club is part of our family and was such a strong presence in all our youth, it is so wonderful to see it continue to thrive after all these years.”

Vickie’s grandmother, Ruth Munro was one of the founding members of the club, and its first president.

“In 1937 Moree was a totally different landscape, cattle and sheep grazing were the main industries, and the town was the business and social centre for a large district,” Vickie said

Trips to town were seldom, and generally involved the whole family, and, as Vickie said, the Moree Men’s Club was well established as the meeting place for husbands once business was attended to.

“This meant the wives often ended up patiently waiting in the car – however I use the term patiently loosely!” she said.

“The Inverell Town and Country Club provided inspiration, and Ruth Munro, together with a committee of women leased the current site, five Frome Street, and the club was on its way.”

Mrs Munro’s two daughters, Vickie’s mother Joan and aunt, Penelope Moses were both presidents of the club, and Vickie said she was thrilled to see such a traditional institution still thriving.

“I’ve heard the Moree Town and Country Club is one of the last remaining in the state, the club’s ability to adapt and evolve with the community is a true testament of its strength, and a wonderful asset for Moree,” Vickie said.

Today, the club hosts numerous weddings, funerals and private parties, as well as catering for a steady stream of lunch goers.

“Women no longer stay in town all day like they once did, and as the needs of the community changed, so to has the club,” Vickie said.

With such close ties to the venue, it was only fitting that a silver tray, presented to Ruth Munro on her retirement as president in 1941, was donated back to the club.

“This milestone was also a fabulous opportunity to return the tray to the current president, Penny Boydell, so it can be enjoyed by all,” Vickie said.

Vickie’s sister, Penny Hoskins travelled from Moss Vale, and brother Peter Holmes travelled from Tamworth for the lunch, along with a number of Munro, Moses and Holmes cousins who still live in the district. Others attending were members of the Bell and Rogers families of Armidale who are the children of Joan Bell’s second husband Paddy Bell.

“We just keep coming back,” Vickie said.

“There were so many happy times growing up in Moree, so much fun and naughtiness all those years ago – they are precious memories and we love re-living them, and making new ones.”