With over 40 people moving to Dubbo since September the event was perfectly timed.

Each guest was given a gift and a New Resident Kit filled with tourism information, maps and special dates from Dubbo City Council.

The child-friendly event is designed to inform new residents of existing community groups and organisations.

It also provided an opportunity to mingle with other new residents, chat, and build networks and friendships.

Representatives from groups like Rotary, Lions Club and Rotaract spoke with residents

as well as members of Sing Australia.

The Gaol’s ‘very cranky’ warden entertained guests by threatening to arrest them and throw them in a cell but he also managed to scare a small child who was placated with a bunch of red ballloons.

Some of the new residents and families had travelled to Australia from as far away Ireland, Iraq and India to work in Dubbo.

Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson attended the night to welcome the new residents to the city.

"Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience but these events provide the perfect opportunity for anyone who has recently relocated to Dubbo to mix with potentially like-minded people in a relaxed atmosphere," he said.

Mayor Dickerson also read a humorous Dubbo-specific poem to the group before quizzing them about it.

At the end of the night, residents also received a special scrolled certificate pardoning them from Old Dubbo Gaol.