WHEN Neville Campbell and Lauren Winkley arrived at Moree Services Club Wednesday afternoon, they thought they were there for a photo-op acknowledging a donation made months earlier.
But the Moree and District Historical Society president and secretary were left speechless when club president Gary Maidens and club CEO Rob Shields handed them a cheque for $5000.
They had no idea the donation was coming their way.
“This is fabulous; it’s wonderful. A donation like this is very much appreciated, and very much needed,” Mr Campbell smiled.
“There are plenty of projects happening at the moment, including the replacement of the front fence. It’s dilapidated and falling down, and this funding could very well go towards that.”
The Moree Plains Museum, located in the historic Lands Office building on Frome Street, was officially opened earlier this year after a couple of years of refurbishment and restoration.
But there is still plenty to do, said society treasurer, Lauren Winkley.
“There is always building maintenance, and we’ve got lots of it. It’s a very old building, but we’re slogging away,” she said.
Moree Services Club CEO Rob Shields said the donation was a small part of nearly $200,000 the club has donated to various organisations and sporting bodies over the past two years.
“Many different organisations ask for help and that’s what we’re here for,” Mr Shields said.
“The club is a pretty big part of Moree, and we’ve got the money to be able to do things like this, and we try to help as many people as we can.
“The board we’ve got at the moment is not shy in helping people, and the club is in a position to be able to help,” he said.
“Over the last couple of years, sporting bodies have received roughly $100,000 and it’s about that amount of money again for other organisations.
“A couple of hundred thousand dollars goes back into the community without very much trouble at all,” he said.
“We try to help as many as we can, and we’ve got the facilities to do that, and the facilities for these organisations to use as well.”
Mr Shields encourages local groups to use club facilities to hold meetings, functions and fundraisers.
“Especially fundraisers, we contribute to fundraisers,” he said.
The club will host the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Barefoot Bowls day in October, one of the biggest fundraisers of the year.
“That will be a huge event and the club will get behind it, and certainly support it,” Mr Shields said.
Club president, Gary Maidens, said the board didn’t hesitate when considering Moree and District Historical Society as a donation recipient.
“Each year we donate grants and this year we looked at the historical society, and the beautiful job they’ve been doing. We know they need a little bit of help and, basically, that’s what we’re here for,” Mr Maidens said.
“The society is doing a wonderful job, and we’re very impressed with everything they’ve done for the town and the people.”
Words and Image: Bill Poulos
