A familiar face in the Tocumwal community for the past 25 years, Tony Findlay has left his stamp on much more than just people’s hearts.
Originally from Melbourne, when Tony moved to Tocumwal he immediately became a part of the town’s volunteer army.
His generosity and ability to work with others to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks is evident in projects that have benefited the broader community.
Tony’s association with the Tocumwal Race Club is just a small but enduring part of this legacy.
His first endeavour to ensure the club had facilities worthy of a great country racecourse was as part of coordinating the building of a new grandstand, now known as the Murray Haynes Stand.
When originally discussing the project with Tocumwal Race Club immediate past president Murray Haynes, according to Tony’s brother Lindsay, Tony said he could do it with volunteer help.
And, that was no understatement.
With a band of local helpers, the vision for a new grandstand became a reality, providing racegoers with a beautiful and practical new place from which to view the action, replacing the one that was built last century.
Murray refers to Tony as “a hell of a nice bloke”.
A life member of the Tocumwal Race Club, Tony’s mark in helping to improve other track amenities includes the construction of a guard rail to prevent horses from running off course, new secretary and jockeys rooms, outdoor settings, a verandah, and upgraded stables and horse wash-down area.
A block of those stables has subsequently been named in Tony’s honour.
Apart from his association with the Tocumwal Race Club, Tony also had a connection with the Tocumwal Football Netball Club, and a project to repaint the club rooms.
His painting skills have also been put to work in other projects across the Tocumwal landscape, with internal updates to two local watering holes, the Tattersalls Hotel and the Farmers Arms Hotel.
Many other local community assets have felt Tony’s touch, with new bathroom facilities for local campers along the Murray River opposite the township, and more personal projects for individuals.
Last month, Tony became a palliative care resident at the Finley Regional Care facility after his health took a turn for the worse.