Show’s triumphant return
A surge of people entered the Finley Showgrounds gates on Sunday for the return of a traditional Finley Show.
The first full show event since before the COVID-19 pandemic, show secretary Carol Kennedy said more than 1600 people attended the action packed day.
Show president Matt Mueller said while a few attended from outside the local area, helped by the Finley and Surrounding Towns Reunion, many of those enjoying the show were "familiar faces“.
“We did have good numbers, which I guess is because we’ve been locked down for so long,” he said.
“The community wanted to see another event, and so they got around the show committee.
“Several months of hard work goes in to each show, and so I want to thank those who attended and our sponsors.
“Without them, and those volunteers in my committee, the day would just not be possible.”
The 104th Finley Show had all the usual competitions like beef and dairy cattle, sheep, poultry, horse events, utility dog trials and junior show goer.
The pavilion was bursting with photography, handicrafts, art, cooking and flowers, despite some sections having fewer entries than previous years.
Ray Macartney provided live music, and there was also camel rides, Skillzone, Dutch Thunder Wildlife, Old Kentucky Animal Farm, sideshow alley, and the Father’s Day games.
The official opening and grand parade was a popular part of the schedule, where the 2022 Wynne Hawkins Memorial ‘Champion of Champions’ was presented to Closeup Poll Dorset & Suffolk Stud.
Other big awards were as follows: Joyce Yeo Memorial Most Outstanding Pavilion Exhibit - Christopher Moore; reserve champion Lesley Wilson.
Best Commercial Static Display - Pether Ag. Best Non-Commercial Static Display - Harry Ferguson Tractor Club.
This year’s lucky gate prize was a three-night stay at Wanganella Cottage, which was won by Martin Bovell.
“There were plenty of highlights from the day, but I guess the biggest was seeing everyone enjoy themselves,” Mr Mueller said.
The next event on the calender for the Finley Show Society is the November rose show, but Mr Mueller said planning for next year’s Finley Show would also start in coming weeks.
Twins Jasmine and Sienna Burke have recently returned from the Interstate Squash Challenge in Queensland, representing NSW against Queensland and New Zealand.
Both Jasmine and Sienna started playing squash only three years ago and have represented NSW twice in their short careers. They hope to represent the state again in 2023. Their love of sport extends across netball, squash, tennis and athletics.
While in Queensland they played two matches each per day, over a five day period. They have taken valuable experience from the event. While the girls did not make the Australian All States team, they did cheer on their teammates against New Zealand only to see them come off second best - 14 matches to 16.
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In 2018, a group of Finley citizens commenced investigation into the establishment of a local group to assist people and families and carers struggling with dementia. This condition is the leading cause of death of women and the third leading cause of death in men.
From an initial information meeting of approximately 40 people, which was supported and attended by Dementia Australia, the Finley Dementia Alliance (now renamed as the Berrigan Shire Dementia Alliance) was formed. It has been gathering momentum ever since.
The new name reflects the fact that it was quickly identified there was a need throughout the whole of the Berrigan Shire to provide assistance and education on dementia in all its forms.
As well as supporting carers, families, and people with a dementia diagnosis, a goal of the Berrigan Shire Dementia Alliance is to make our shire’s communities ‘dementia aware’. One of the mechanisms for achieving this is by education of our communities.
In recent years this has included dementia presentations being delivered to local schools and organisations such as CWA, Apex, Lions and Rotary Clubs and the staff of the Berrigan Shire Council.
Additionally, the Berrigan Shire Dementia Alliance holds regular morning coffee/tea meetings in Finley and Berrigan – although the pandemic has temporarily slowed this activity.
The Berrigan Shire Dementia Alliance consists of professional people, carers of people with a diagnosis of dementia, and also people with the diagnosis.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Alison Luelf on 0458 579 433.
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The organising committee of the Finley Springtime Gardens event, held annually by Finley Regional Care Auxiliary, is pleased to extend an invitation to this year’s presentation to be held on Sunday, November 6.
Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions and changing conditions.
This year there will be six beautiful gardens on display, and six enthusiastic gardeners all looking forward to showcasing their works of art.
This is a wonderful opportunity to wander through a variety of gardens and a chance to chat with and get advice from the owners. As well as raffles, there will be plant and pottery stalls, art displays including mosaics and face painting for the children.
All gardens will be open from 9am to 3pm. A light lunch will be available for a small cost at a nominated garden.
Tickets at a cost of $20 per person, including a complementary morning tea, can only be purchased on the day at Memorial Park in Finley from 9am. A map and directions to the gardens will be given when purchasing tickets.
The organisers would like to thank members of the community in advance for supporting this wonderful event. Proceeds will provide extra facilities for Finley Regional Care residents.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Sue Hand on 0419 831 544 or Bern Agosta on 0417 897 462.
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The winner of last Saturday’s Finley Lions Club wood raffle was Esther Casey. The club members would like to thank everyone for the continuing support given to this great fundraiser.
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Unfortunately, the phone number given last week to contact Gavin Butcher at the MenShed was incorrect. He’s happy to speak with anyone interested about plans to make the MenShed facilities available to women. Gavin can be contacted on 0447 541 459.
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The organisers of the CanAssist Finley Branch would like to thank the members and the community for their generous support of the street stall held last Friday. A total of $1732 was raised.
Raffle winners were: Wendy Sutton (side of lamb and barbecue utensils set); Carol Crawford (side of lamb); Lyn Bergman ($50 meat voucher).
CanAssist - which is operating in Finley, Berrigan and Jerilderie - is an organisation which raises funds to support members of the local community who are receiving treatment for cancer. Assistance is provided with fuel vouchers and accommodation. All funds raised stays in this area, and all information is strictly confidential.
New members of the committee are welcome at all times. The next meeting will be held at the Finley Bowling Club on September 13, from 6pm.
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It was wonderful to see the huge turnout at the Finley Show held on Sunday, after last year’s event had to be modified due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Volunteers from Finley’s St Joseph’s School manned the gate as participants began arriving in the very early hours of the morning.
There was plenty to see and do with the displays in the pavilion, side show alley, baby farm animals enclosure, horse events, and many more.
Noel A’Vard proudly showed off his collection of Massey Ferguson tractors he has been restoring for over 20 years with the help of his brother Lindsay.
Many younger members of Finley and surrounding areas lined up early to take part in the junior showgoers competitions, and kept the audience entertained while being judged.
Finley Show Society Young Woman Winner 2022 Lauren Clarke proved an able assistant to judge Jane Hawkins when performing the hard task of deciding on the winners of each division. Full results from the competition on page 7.
The day was a great success and congratulations must go to all those who participated in any way.
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Items for ‘From Finley’ may be submitted by phoning 0428 293 922, emailing anne.freestone@bigpond.com or left at the Southern Riverina News office. Please include a contact name and phone number.