DARRYL Brady likes his coffee.
And there’s no better way to share his beverage of choice with his volunteering skills than to set up shop at Moree cafes and eateries to sell badges and pens for Anzac Day.
Mr Brady and fellow volunteers, Will Garrett, June McKnight, Michael Hankey, Michael Brown and John Tramby have been busy selling Anzac Day memorabilia and raffle tickets across Moree in recent days.
“We started selling badges and pens the week leading into Easter and will continue during the week leading up to Anzac Day,” Mr Brady said.
“Will and June, and myself began last Monday and Tuesday at 61 Balo, and on Wednesday and Thursday at Brooker Trading Co.
“We plan to move around different Moree coffee shops this week as well as Coles and Woolworths, if we can.”
Mr Brady said Anzac Day merchandise will be available at numerous venues over the next few days.
“Michael Hankey and Michael Brown will look after Coles and Woolies and the rest of us will rove around the east side of town,” he said.
Again, the Moree community is digging deep to support Anzac Day fundraising.
“Everyone has been very supportive and are always willing to part with their hard-earned money to buy a badge or a pen and buy tickets in our raffle,” Mr Brady said.
This year’s raffle prizes are three VC medallions – Victoria Cross replica medals – honouring Keith Payne, Ben Roberts-Smith and Mark Donaldson.
Roberts-Smith, Donaldson and Payne are all decorated Australian military veterans, and Victoria Cross recipients.
Mr Payne is the oldest living Australian VC recipient, having received the award in Vietnam in 1969. Mr Roberts-Smith received his VC for actions in Afghanistan in 2010 and Mr Donaldson also received his VC for his actions in Afghanistan in 2009.
“Fundraising leading up to this very important day on our military calendar is in support of veterans and their families,” Mr Brady said.
He said pausing and remembering each Anzac Day was important to all Australians.
“Anzac Day is very significant to everyone, and commemorations and services help keep our history from disappearing,” Mr Brady said.
“I have been selling Anzac Day merchandise for a few years now and I’ve found the community support for RSL and Legacy has gained momentum as each year dawns.
“I cannot thank the coffee shops and cafes enough – and the whole Moree community – for welcoming us to their venues and allowing us to invade their space.
“We are so grateful for the welcoming receptions we have encountered everywhere we go selling our badges and pens, and we can’t thank Moree enough for giving us the opportunity,” he smiled.
Anzac Day Moree
Dawn Service
Where: Moree Services Club Memorial Window
Time: 6am
Private Max Wales Memorial Service
Where: Wales Memorial Park on the western side of Moree Services Club
Time: 9am
Anzac Day March and Memorial Service
Where: Balo Street
Time: from 9.30am
Service: Moree War Memorial Hall
Moree RSL Regional Military Museum open Anzac Day
When: Friday, April 25, 2025
Where: Former Moree town library building
Time: From around 1pm until 5pm
