Moree than just food and wine

Moree and District Historical Society's Neville Campbell and Michael McNamara with Moree on a Plate's Ros Van Dongen, two local volunteer-led organisations collaborating for local vibrancy. 

It's one of the community's most anticipated calendar events, and beyond the food, wine and merriment of the festival, Moree on a Plate represents a valuable opportunity to give back to Moree.

Each year the Moree on a Plate Committee's "Monster Raffle" donates thousands of dollars back into the community, with the Moree and District Historical Society the happy recipients of $7,000 fundraised from the 2025 festival.

In a further nod to Moree's generosity, all takings from Grove Juice from the festival are also included in this donation.

Moree on a Plate Raffle Coodinator Trish Siddons says the raffle provides a terrific opportunity to support well-loved organisations in the community, with the Moree Tennis Club funding recipients for the 2026 festival.

"We're so proud to be able to help some of our hard working local organisations who all rely on volunteers, we feel fortunate to have so many people stepping up to support organisations such as The Historic Society and The Moree Tennis Club - these are the initiatives that ensure our town remains vibrant."

Recieving a very welcomed $7,000 from Moree on a Plate, Moree and District Historical Society's Neville Campbell said the organisation was thrilled with the donation, which went towards building a new fence at the site of the old Lands Office.

"We wanted the new fence to be built in line with the heritage of the building," he explains,"The timber work is scolloped, so there was some intricate building work required, and we were very grateful to recieve these funds so we could get the job done properly."

The Moree District Historic Society is a treasure trove of local memorabilia and fascinating insights into the district's bygone era, and a very worthwhile visit for local familys and visitors alike.

The Moree on a Plate committee will begin selling raffle tickets outside Brooker Trading Co this week, ahead of this year's festival, to be held Saturday, May 9 at The Moree Race Club. 

While not the 'Monster' raffle of the past, Trish explains that considering the challenging retail environment, the committee did not approach all local small businesses for donations this year, however big ticket items such as an Electric Gator for Children donated by RDO, two $1,000 shop local vouchers donated by Westpac, an RM Williams leather overnight bag donated by Asseffs, a painting donated by Ian Reardon, and pearl earrings donated by Sparkes Jewellers, were extremely attractive prizes.

Tickets will be sold in the main street over the coming weeks, and at the festival on Saturday, May 9.

For more information on Moree on a Plate see www.moreeonaplate.com.au