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Generous donation helps with comfort

Christine Cherry and Ben Levesque from Finley Regional Care with Finley MenShed president Gavin Butcher.

Finley Regional Care staff were delighted to take delivery of an Aspire Mobile Air Chair (also known as a Princess Chair) last week, which had been purchased as a result of the recent donation from the Finley MenShed.

Finley MenShed president Gavin Butcher inspected the chair in the presence of Finley Regional Care CEO Ben Levesque and leisure and lifestyle co-ordinator Christine Cherry.

“I am so pleased to see the actual chair because the advertisement picture did not show just how good it is,” Gavin said.

An Aspire Mobile Air Chair is the ultimate in comfort and mobility and an easy-care solution for elderly or special needs seating.

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Congratulations to Lynn Blunt on winning the load of firewood raffled by the Finley Show Society recently.

Thank you to the community for its generous support of the street stall. Plans for the annual show in September are well underway.

The June long weekend sees the return of the Sheep Dog Trials. The entries have closed but an invitation is extended to the community to go along and watch the event. Entry is free and food and drinks will be available.

All information about the Finley Show Society and events can be found on the website and Facebook.

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Christine Murphy is the winner of last Saturday’s wood raffle conducted by the Finley Lions Club members.

Christine, like so many in this wonderful community of ours, is a great supporter of all local fundraising groups.

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Please make the effort to attend the rescheduled annual general meeting of the Finley Swimming Pool management committee to be held at the RS Club tonight at 7pm.

The pool plays a significant part in community activities and the current committee members need more assistance.

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Just a reminder of the Finley and District Christian Women Communicating International (CWCI) supper evening tomorrow, to be held at the Finley Presbyterian Church Hall at 7.30pm. The cost is $10, payable at the door.

There will be a further morning tea on Friday at the Deniliquin Uniting Church Hall at 10am. The cost is $10, payable at the door.

CWCI is a worldwide bible-based faith ministry which began in Australia in 1957.

The guest speaker will be Rose Jeffrey, a mother and grandmother who has navigated a difficult personal journey and enjoys cycling, writing anecdotes, songs, poetry and walking Maxie, her much loved rescue dog.

For further information on either event, please contact Sue: smmonamy@gmail.com (0467 333 002) or Helen: phhuest@bigpond.net.au (0419 902 084).

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Finley School of Arts will be celebrating 120 years of community service in August 2024.

However, did you know the existing building is the second School of Arts to be constructed in Finley?

As recorded in Norman McAllister’s book ‘Looking Back on Finley’, the Murray Hut Progress Association raised enough money to purchase a site in Finley St at the sale of town lots in 1892.

After the land being invested in trustees, a drive for funds was met with a great result. However, due to the great financial crisis of the early 1890s the funds became frozen.

The original School of Arts finally went under construction early in 1894 and was officially opened in April of that year.

During its entire life of seven years, the building was used by the Education Department as a school, as well as a place of common worship by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist congregations.

Unfortunately, Finley’s first School of Arts was destroyed by fire in 1901, as reported in the Albury Banner and Wodonga Express on Friday July 19, 1901.

“The School of Arts at Finley, a brick building situated outside the town, was destroyed by fire last Friday evening, with the whole of its contents, including a piano and organ, the property of the combined churches, which used the hall for church purposes. Soon after the fire started, several persons endeavored to save some of the contents, but the walls suddenly collapsed, and they had a narrow escape, being struck by a number of bricks.

“No cause can be assigned for the outbreak. The building was insured in the National Company of New Zealand, but the amount was not ascertainable, as the policy is in the bank at Tocumwal.”

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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.