With the NAIDOC Week celebrations in full swing, Moree Police Station hosted a morning tea and an Aboriginal flag raising for the first time at the new station.
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"I believe it's never been done so I think it's very fitting that we look at this NAIDOC Week and we raise the Aboriginal flag for the community here in Moree," officer-in-charge Inspector Martin Burke said.
The official proceedings opened with Peter and Shirley Duncan delivering the Welcome to Country.
"I'd just like to pay my respects to the traditional owners of this land, the Kamilaroi people, our elders past and present and our children who are our future," Mr Duncan said.
Moree local Steve Bartholomew then spoke about his experiences growing up in Moree, before joining the police academy, his time working in Sutherland Shire Police Area Command before returning to Moree to take on the youth liaison officer role.
"Hopefully I can change some youth's lives in Moree and just be a good role model for the kids," he said.
"I can attest that Steve has really hit the ground running since he's been here in Moree, collaborating with other youth services in Moree and our colleagues over at the PCYC," Inspector Burke added.
"He's a much valued member of our team."
Following Steve's story, Shirley Duncan helped plant a boobialla tree out the front of the police station, which symoblises healing.
"It's a bit of a symbol of the renewed effort, the renewed work that we the police are trying to do with the community so I think it's going to be very fitting and a long lasting memory out the front of the police station here," Inspector Burke said.
The Miyay Birray UPstART Aboriginal dance group then performed for the crowd.
The ceremony was capped off with the flag raising and members of the dance group donating artwork symbolising community that will be displayed in the front office of the station.
