Local Government Exhibition is a Success

To coincide with Local Government Week 2022 (1–7 August), the Moree Community Library is hosting an exhibition that takes a deep dive into the history of Council and government in the Shire. It has been popular with community members as well as past and present Councillors coming to see it.

The exhibition, called ‘Moree Council Then & Now’, is the brainchild of the library’s Local Studies and Digitation Officer Tian Harris and she said she is touched by the community’s excitement embracing it.

“‘Moree Council Then & Now’ is very much a celebration of the Shire’s history and doesn’t just explore Council’s influence on the region. It also highlights Council staff’s contributions and major events the Moree Plains has experienced in the last 130 years”, said Ms Harris.

Ms Harris said the exhibition’s content took her four months to research thoroughly.

“I went through old newspaper articles, archived Council documents, historical material that had recently been digitised and I cross referenced everything as I went”, said Ms Harris.

“Council’s Records department was beyond helpful and provided me with a treasure trove of information.”

“I also interviewed past Councillors and heard their fascinating stories”, added Ms Harris.

“I especially loved picking the brain of my grandfather Claude Magarry. His insights as a Council employee of 45 years and then as a Councillor were special to me.”

Moree Plains Shire Council’s Community, Culture and Libraries Manager Alisa Akins said she is proud of the exhibition, Ms Harris and the library team.

“Tian worked hard putting the exhibition together and the whole library team pitched in to help set it up”, said Ms Akins.

“Tian proposed a floor plan and the team, including Tian, and I worked together tweaking it as we went. In between other projects, the exhibition took about a week to get into place, and it looks great.”

“‘Moree Council Then & Now’ is just a small taste of what the Moree Community Library has in the pipeline, and we can’t wait to share more with the community.”

Ms Harris said, “I’d like to thank everyone who contributed and made the exhibition a success”.

‘Moree Council Then & Now’ will be on display at the Moree Community Library (36 Balo Street, Moree) until the end of August.

For any questions or enquiries about the exhibition, please contact Tian Harris on 6757 3374 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Photo (from left): Former Moree Municipal Council Clerk Typist (1965–1970) Barbara Cutmore née Saunders, Moree Community Library’s Local Studies and Digitation Officer Tian Harris, Irene Hodge and Carole Kristensen at the official opening of ‘Moree Council Then & Now’