THE fourth volume of Moree local studies journal, Stories from the Plains, will be available to the public in the coming days.
The journal features an oral history interview with well-known Moree couple Edward and Maureen Wong, who for many years owned and operated the New Bo Wa restaurant.
Stories from the Plains, available in hard-copy or PDF format, is a free Moree Community Library quarterly publication compiled by editor, Adam Mitchell.
Physical copies will be available at the Library from next Monday, November 3, with PDF copies distributed this week.
The October edition of Stories of the Plains features Edward and Maureen Wong, who came to Moree in the 1980s to help establish the New Bo Wa restaurant.
Also featured is the story of Mungindi’s Cecil Ramalli, born to Punjabi and Gamilaroi parents.
Cecil was the first Asian and first Aboriginal to represent Australia as a member of the Wallabies.
Cecil “went from schoolboy football to international in one step” after honing his craft at Hurlstone Agricultural High School in Sydney.
Editor Adam Mitchell said the fourth edition of Stories of the Plains features two main stories.
“The first is an oral history interview with Maureen and Edward Wong, whom many will remember as the former owners of the New Bo Wa restaurant, started by Edward’s father in 1981 and remaining in the family until 2017,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Maureen and Edward moved to Moree from Hong Kong more than 40 years ago and during this time, they won numerous awards and became a staple of the Moree community.
“They also speak of their volunteer work and their initial experiences adjusting to Moree life when they first arrived.
“Reading the extract from this interview will undoubtedly bring back lovely memories for many readers,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The second part of the journal, which I am very excited to share, is a research article into Cecil Ramalli.
“This is the most in-depth article this journal has featured, and the research included phone calls with journalists, family members and community members to try and do the story justice,” he said.
“Cecil’s life was extraordinary, beginning as a child in Mungindi born to Punjabi and Gamilaroi parents.
“After WW2 began, Cecil enlisted and became a PoW on the Thai-Burma Railways, before being moved to Japan where he was mining underground in Nagasaki at the time of the bombing.
“Upon his return to Australia he became a well-respected figure in Sydney rugy union and helped coach a generation of footy players,” Mr Mitchell said.
The October edition also features an historical pictorial of Moree, with images taken from an album created by H Billington & Co, from 1895-1910, and now stored at the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW.
Mr Mitchell said the Stories From the Plains concept, launched earlier this year, has been met with overwhelming support from the public.
“This fourth edition brings up our one-year anniversary of the Journal,” he said.
“I am extraordinarily grateful to the Moree Plains and diaspora community for supporting what began as a small idea from my office.
“Being able to bring these stories to light has been highly rewarding, and hearing the feedback and enthusiasm for future editions has been greatly appreciated,” he said.
Copies of Stories from the Plains Edition 4 will be available Moree Regional Library from Monday, November 3. Past editions are also available.
PDF copies are available by joining a subscriber list.
Contact adam.mitchell@mpsc.nsw.gov.au for more information.
