A barbecue lunch on a perfect autumn afternoon closed a busy Seniors’ Festival in Moree when Rob and Lorraine Bartel hosted a small group in the picturesque gardens of their Gwydirville home on Saturday.
Moree Lions Club served a catered lunch and Moree Ukelele Band provided plenty of toe-tapping favourites throughout the afternoon.
The Seniors’ Festival in Moree embraced morning teas and games of bingo, a movie screening and the all-important lunch at Moree Services Club on Wednesday, where much-loved Mungindi local Laraine Nolan was named Moree Plains Shire Senior Citizen of the Year.
The Seniors’ Festival, a statewide initiative held each March, celebrates the role and contributions of older adults across all communities.
This year’s theme, Live Life in Colour, showcased creativity, new connections and active ageing.
Lorraine Bartel, who with Kaye Berger, Helen Palmer, Lynne Churchland, Sharon Wilde, Sue Carter and Jo Shaw co-ordinates events in Moree, said the festival was again successful.
“The whole week has been great and everything has gone really well,” Mrs Bartel said.
“We’ve had good numbers at most events, and everyone has enjoyed themselves.”
Events were supported by Moree Services Club, Regional Australia Bank, Moree Plains Shire Council,
Pius X, Moree Community Library, Moree Care, Moree Lions Club, Whiddon Moree and Moree Ukelele Band.
“It’s great to have Marty and his group entertaining everyone again. They’re fantastic and have been coming out here for years,” Mrs Bartel said.
“Moree Ukelele Band are at a lot of functions like this, and it’s all voluntary.
“Local businesses and organisations from everywhere have again supported us, but that’s something that happens quite often in Moree.
“So many people in Moree are so giving and generous, it’s unbelievable,” she said.
Moree Plains Shire Senior Citizen of the Year nominations this year were at near-record numbers, and included Rhonda Gallagher, Margi Kirkby, Margaret Young, Ron Clissold, Doris Davis, Wendy Long, Jeff Greenaway, Meryl Dillon, Julie Johnson, Marlene Howard and Frank Crump.
Mr Crump, a nominee for the second year in a row, praised the small group of volunteers who work tirelessly to celebrate the festival in Moree.
“Lorraine and her volunteers have done extremely well – they do an incredible job,” Mr Crump said. “They’ve worked hard the whole week. Lorraine has been involved with the Seniors’ Festival in Moree for more than 20 years. She’s a great organiser and the work she does is fantastic.
“The seniors’ lunch on Wednesday was a great event, as is today’s lunch, and the other days have been successful as well. But that’s what the Seniors’ Festival is all about.
“Laraine Nolan, from Mungindi, was a deserving winner, but all seniors were winners,” Mr Crump smiled.
For people like Mr Crump, who still works full-time at Moree District Hospital, age is truly only a number.
“One person asked me this week, how old I was. I’ll be 69 next month. Sometimes I don’t consider myself a senior, but I’m in that age bracket so I guess I am,” he laughed.
Mr Crump volunteers his time with community radio station 2MaxFM at Narrabri twice a week, and was last year honoured with a NSW Seniors’ Festival Local Achievement Award for his valued service to the Moree and district community.
“I’m still involved with 2MaxFM. This is my 16th year, and my partner, Julie, who lives in Wee Waa, has been involved for nearly 18 years.
“Between us, we’ve got a few years up our sleeves behind the microphone, but we love doing what we do,” he said.
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