My Moree Makeover Winners Announced 

Residents of the Moree Plains have been busy taking their indoor and outdoor spaces from drab to fab during COVID isolation over April and May, with an array of entrants in the My Moree Makeover challenge.

The challenge was launched in April and provided an opportunity for renovators to make the most of being required to #stayathome and support local businesses at the same time, explained Council’s Acting Economic Development/Grants Manager Susannah Pearse.

“When COVID-19 restrictions kicked in, our local retailers really felt the blow acutely. Many had already endured an incredibly tough few years of trade due to the unprecedented drought and this was another cruel setback.

“However it was very impressive to see just how many businesses pivoted quickly and implemented initiatives from moving online to free home delivery, takeaway and click and collect services in order to keep looking after their customers and continue providing a service to the community,” she said.

With residents doing the right thing and #stayingathome, the My Moree team launched the My Moree Makeover Challenge to urge residents to support local businesses whilst ticking off some of those neglected jobs around the house and garden, with the incentive of a prize pool of Love Local Gift Cards up for grabs.

Entries closed on Sunday 24 May 2020 and were judged by a panel including members of the Moree Chamber of Commerce and Mungindi Progress Association on their creativity, popularity on Facebook and Instagram, and how well they showcased Moree Plains businesses.

“Well done to all entrants in the My Moree Makeover Challenge on the mammoth effort that went into their makeovers. It was clear that a lot of hard work and many hours had gone into some of the entries and we thank everyone for supporting our local businesses in this challenging time”, said Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Manager Libby Carter.

Prizes were awarded in both an Indoor and Outdoor Category as per below:

Indoor:
First Prize ($500 Love Local Gift Voucher): Bree Pring for a kitchen renovation with supplies from D&M Kitchens, Harvey Norman Moree, Dipper’s Timber and Hardware, Andersen’s Moree and Tim Grant Painting.
Runners Up ($250 Love Local Gift Voucher each): Claud May for an office renovation and Dimity Smith for a cosmetic kitchen renovation.

Outdoor
($500 Love Local Gift Voucher): Kelly Abrahamson for a backyard renovation with supplies from N J Davis Building, DD’s Engineering and Fabrication, Moree Landscaping Supplies, Dipper’s Home Timber and Hardware and Mitre 10 Moree.
Runners Up ($250 Love Local Gift Voucher each): Leigh Carrol for a porch renovation and Tanya and Troy Fitch for a backyard renovation.

Moree Chamber of Commerce President, Dibs Cush applauded Council’s efforts in instigating the initiative to encourage local expenditure in trying conditions, as well as providing some incentives for community members to get involved.

“It was such a pleasure to review the entries and see the businesses of the Moree Plains celebrated all across Social Media”, remarked Mrs Cush.

To check out the winning entries, search for #mymoreemakeover on Facebook and Instagram.

Photograph - Moree Chamber of Commerce President Dibs Cush, outdoor category first prize winner Kellie Abrahamson, Council’s Acting Economic Development/Grants Manager Susannah Pearse, indoor category first prize winner Bree Pring.