Moree will transform into a cultural mecca next weekend, with local galleries and organisations collaborating to ensure a full schedule of celebration over the Moree on a Plate Festival weekend.
Initiating the weekend’s festivities, Yaama Ganu Gallery will present its inaugural women’s show, applauding the contribution of women to contemporary Aboriginal Art.
Gallery directors, Toby Osmond and Catherine Madden, said they were thrilled to be bringing such a significant all female collection to Moree, particularly given the exhibition coincides with Mother’s Day.
“We’ve got some really exciting works by renowned indigenous artists such as Sonia Kurarra, the Papunya Tjupi Artists and senior Kaltjiti Arts artists Imitjala Curley.”
“Mrs Curley is one of the major talents in the APY Lands, and being a mother to five daughters may offer some insight into the joy and whimsy that inhabits her work,” Toby explained.
The exhibition opens Thursday evening, May 9, with opening drinks at the gallery, 211 Balo Street, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Further showcasing the rich culture and social fabric of Moree, The Moree Gallery opens its latest group exhibition the following day, featuring renowned artists Catherine Stewart, Sarah Bishop, Andrena Smith and born and bred Moree ceramic artist, Lucinda Kirkby.
The exhibition opens at 10am, Friday May 10, and drinks with the artists is open to all from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at The Moree Gallery, 30 Heber Street.
Moree’s musical talent will also be on display over the weekend, with its own all-female vocal group, Serendipity, returning to the stage at the Banks Art Museum Moree (BAMM).
Vocalists ageing from 13 through to 65 will wow the crowd with their spine-tingling performance ‘Serendipity Time Travels’ on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at 7.30pm.
Serendipity’s Michele Maurer, said this was the groups second major concert, with their first, in 2018, selling out within the day.
“There’s nothing more soothing for the soul than listening to a beautiful, harmonious live choir – in fact a recent UK psychiatrist found students feeling stressed or mentally overwhelmed should join a choir, and I’m not surprised – making music is calming and wonderful,”
“It’s a common language that we can all come together and experience that wonderful emotion,” Ms Maurer said.
Tickets at $25 each and are currently on sale at Sylvia’s Fabrics, Heber Street, Moree.
And while Moree’s creative talent will shine over the weekend, so too will our region’s rich agricultural sector.
While the Moree on a Plate Food and Wine Festival, Saturday, May 11 from 10am to 4pm is dedicated to showcasing the produce and talent born from the North West Plains, Tourism Moree will once again complement the event with interactive, first hand farm tours.
O’Dempsey’s Agri Tours will run four excursions over the weekend, aimed at enhancing visitors ‘paddock to plate’ experience with guided tours to a Pecan farm and a cotton farm and gin tour.
The tours will run on Friday, May 10 9am -12 pm Cotton Gin Tour and 1pm – 4pm Guided Pecan Tour and Monday, May 13 9am – 12 noon Guided Pecan Tour and 1-4pm for the Cotton Tour.
Each tour runs for three hours, and costs $30 for adult and $20 for children under 14.
And capping off a stellar few days in Moree, The Moree Town and Country Club will be holding a special Mother’s Day Luncheon, lovingly prepared by guest chefs, Kate Goodhew and Toby Osmond.
Committee Member, Penny Holliday said it was a wonderful opportunity to indulge mum, or a special someone, and relax in the tranquil gardens of the club.
Lunch is $50 for adults and $15 for children, bookings are essential, please call (02) 67521430.
Moree on a Plate President, Bethany Kelly said she was thrilled so many organisations had rallied around Moree on a Plate to ensure visitors to the festival had the opportunity to enjoy all the delights our community offered.
“With so many visitors from out of the region, even the State, descending on Moree for the festival, it is fantastic that we can offer them a full local experience, and can all join together to showcase every aspect of our great community.”
“Next weekend will be the source of great pride for our town, and we’re all getting very excited, I encourage everyone to invite friends and family from out of town to gather in Moree for the Mother’s Day weekend, support these great events and celebrate the great community in which we live.”
For further information on these events see www.moreegallery.com.au www.yaamaganu.com.au www.moreeonaplate.com www.bamm.org.au www.moreetourism.com.au