GETTING up at dawn to put on mud-boots and pour concrete when there’s a frost on the ground isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
But on Thursday morning, when the thermometer nudged two degrees and the thermos struggled to keep the damn tea hot, the boys from O’Neill Concreting were at Jellicoe Park doing their bit for the Moree community.
Marty O’Neill and his crew – all family – this week donated quite a few man-hours to help Moree Lions Club complete a project started last year.
The Jellicoe Park rotunda and surrounding gardens and pathways have needed a makeover for some time.
Moree Lions Club members began working on the structure last September. They installed benchtops, tidied up the pebbled walkways and planted climbing roses at the foot of the southern archway leading to the rotunda.
The pebbled walkways and rotunda surrounds are now stamped concrete pathways, thanks to O’Neill Concreting.
A donation from local resident Leonie Livingston, generous help from Johnstone Concrete and Quarry and funding from Moree Plains Shire Council and Moree Lions helped finance materials – but much of the hard work and man hours were supplied by O’Neill Concreting of Yarraman.
“When the concrete is sealed, it will activate an earthy colour,” Marty O’Neill said.
The project was a joint, community effort with a cast of many.
For Marty, it’s about family.
Off-siders included brother Garry, son-in-law Connor Murray, brother-in-law Dave Carter, cousin Brad Hourigan and son, Blayk.
“Steve Long and Beth Hearn from Lions approached us, and asked for a hand pouring the concrete. Council chipped in too, as well as the Lions Club, and also the Johnstone boys,” Marty said.
“Lions started on it last year and refurbed the rotunda and will lay some turf when it gets warmer.
“It’s a bit of a community thing, and has really tidied up the area a lot.”
The original rotunda was officially opened in 1935 and at some point was replaced by the current structure.
Beth Hearn said the Moree community has again come together to help the Moree community.
“The rotunda definitely needed some work and Moree Lions took on the project to thank the Moree community for all their support over the last 70 years,” Beth said.
“Much of the cost of materials was funded by a donation from local resident, Leonie Livingston, who wanted to help Lions in some way, as well as Moree council.
“Thanks to Marty and his men, these new paths now make the rotunda wheelchair accessible.
“Local painter, Peter Moore, also donated his time and gave the rotunda a fresh coat of paint in the Lions’ blue and yellow colours.
“The pathways look amazing and it’s all come together thanks to people like Marty and his men, Peter Moore, our local council, Johnstone’s and Leonie Livingston – Moree Lions Club can’t thank them enough,” Beth said.
