Moree, New South Wales

We often drive through Moree, or stop only for fuel and groceries. However, this time we had car trouble – on a Saturday – and needed to wait until Monday when a service mechanic was available. We had the choice of Warialda or Moree, some 70 kms away. Although we wanted to explore Warialda, it was better to go to Moree where the mechanic was located and the van park had a pool. Temperatures in January are mid 30’s to low 40’s, so a pool is a bonus.

Moree has three caravan parks and a showground for campers. We chose the Mehi Van Park, and I am so glad we did. It is by far the best of all the choices. We enjoyed the artesian spas and the company of the other happy campers. The park itself is quiet, and the site we had was shady, although some of the sites have no shade at all. The park also has a laundry, kitchen and camp kitchen.

Sunday we headed into town to explore. The Information Centre closes at 1 on Sat and Sunday and public holidays – of course we got there at 1.10.  As the volunteer came out she offered to unlock and go back in to get us info. We didn’t want to disrupt her plans so declined her kind offer. She did explain the best streets to wander around – the main street, Balo Street, and Herber and Frome Streets. There are a few plaques located on the ground near some buildings, but they were difficult to find.

Early inhabitants of the area were the Weraerai and Kamilaroi peoples. In 1832 Major Thomas Mitchell was in the area to recapture an escaped convict. Squatters set up pastoral runs soon after. One such pastoral run was named Moree, meaning long waterhole or rising sun. In 1851 James and Mary Brand arrived in the area and set up a general story on the banks of the Mehi River. The was the first store in what became Moree Town. There is an information board at the location, in a park names after Mary Brand. There was once a slab hut and old wooden cart in the park, but they are no longer there. Mary and James moved to the Hunter Valley, and after James died 1858, Mary and her 6 children returned to the Moree area in 1861 and opened the first inn.

Moree was gazetted a town in 1862, and the town grew from there. In 1895 the Great Artesian Basin was tapped and this has provided water for agriculture. Today it is also a draw card for travellers passing through, especially in Winter. The main agriculture in the area is pecans and olives. The architecture in the town is mixed, Art Deco, Federation style, and mixed. Many of the buildings were destroyed by fire in 1928.

Mansours buildings – Balo Street –built in 1929 as an extension to the original built in 1923.

Salina Court Theatre – Ran as a theatre from 1929 until 1974 - In olden days a bus would travel up to 50km away to collect patrons for weekend screenings

Wilson House – built c1925, in Spanish Mission style, the largest retail building in the CBD.

Morgan’s Building built 1929 in the classical style with corrugated iron gable roof.

T.A.F.E building – foundation stone was laid in 1900, and the building was originally the Moree Council Chambers. When the council moved into newer premises it became a library, then R.S.L. The clock tower was added in the 1950’s. It is now a T.A.F.E. building.

Interesting fact: The youngest son of Charles Dickens, Edward Bulwer Lytton Dickens (1852-1902) emigrated to Australia, became a member of Parliament for Wilcannia District and is buried in Moree Cemetery.

Mary Brand is also buried in the cemetery, along with her daughter – who was the first white child born in Moree.