Tue. Oct 8th, 2024

Mother’s Day weekend in Moree is packed with activities including the much anticipated Moree on a Plate food and wine festival. 

The highlight of the weekend is the Moree on a Plate event, to be held Saturday, May 13. One of the regions best food festivals, it will be headlined this year by chef Christine Mansfield. Now in its 19th year, Moree on a Plate is a destination event attracting foodies and artisan producers from across NSW and Queensland. A gold coin donation entry ensures the festival is an event the whole family can enjoy, with a dedicated Kids Korner for the little ones, and a full day of live entertainment setting the vibrant atmosphere. 

Tourism Moree are also encouraging visitors from across the region to take the road less travelled for a weekend immersed in the community spirit of rural Australia.   

Come to Moree a day or so earlier to catch a special group show at The Moree Gallery on Thursday, May 11. ‘A Day to be Remembered’ features a group of emerging artists including Sarah Bishop, Jule Coyle, Margaret Dix, Ann Gordon, Sally Falkiner, Kate Hopkinson-Pointer, Jamila Hume, Matt James and Greta Laundy. The show see the artists all reflecting on a day or moment in their immediate world or in their travels – each capturing a moment, then brought to life through their paintings. The exhibition opens at 10am, with drinks and an opening event on the Thursday evening.  

Local Indigenous art gallery, Yaama Ganu also has a very exciting addition for the weekend, with leading Walpiri Artists, Karen Napaljarri Barnes and Julie Nangala Robertson, visiting Moree for the opening of the Group Show from Central Desert Art Centre Warlukurlangu on Friday May 12 at 6pm. This exhibition is free of charge and open to the public. 

On Friday morning, the artists will also be conducting a very special painting workshop at the gallery, with spaces very limited. Gallery manager Toby Osmond said the visit from the women was a huge coup for the gallery, and the community. 

“Karen is easily one of the most in demand artists working in today’s contemporary Aboriginal Art space, and Julie is the daughter of pioneering Central Desert Artist Dorothy Napangardi and we are very excited to welcome them to Moree,” Mr Osmond said. 

And then on the Sunday Moree’s iconic art gallery BAMM will host a very special, and limited, Air Dry Clay Ceramic Workshop with Iranian Australian Artist Morjgan Habibi. Embrace this wonderful opportunity to create up to one personalized trinket plate, and two small objects using non-fire clay, for bookings go to www.trybooking.com/CHRJN 

While in town, tourists can visit producers on-farm for a first-hand insight into the production of pecans and cotton, with local farm tours complementing the festival.   Or, for a fascinating insight into traditional indigenous culture, join native grains specialist Kerrie Saunders on one of her Yinarr-Ma Bush Tucker Tours. Kerrie is a proud Gomeroi woman and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to using the land for food, and what everyday plants have sustained humanity for centuries.     

For more information on Moree on a Plate, see www.moreeonaplate.com.au and for what’s on around Moree and to book tours, call 0267573350 or see www.moreetourism.com.au