Finley certainly had an influx of visitors from surrounding towns last weekend with the annual Monster Garage Sale taking place.
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Saturday was reportedly very successful, but rain put a dampener on Sunday’s activities.
Bargain hunters - who travelled from Deniliquin, Yarrawonga, Cobram, Tocumwal, Berrigan and Jerilderie, to name a few - found plenty of treasures while navigating the many venues listed on the map in last week’s edition of the Southern Riverina News.
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Author and former Finley High School teacher, Graeme Hosken, will return to the area this weekend to launch his latest book Finley and the Great War.
Graeme taught at the school from 1978 until 1990, during which time he met and married his wife Helen (Miss Telfer), who was also a teacher.
The couple’s three children Ian, Jeffrey and Alana were born at the local hospital and went to school in Finley.
The book covers the history of the contribution of many young men from Finley who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the Great War of 1914-1918 (WWI), and the impact it had on individuals, families and the district.
It is evident how extensively Graeme has researched the material used in this book.
There is mention of several local and well-known family names, whose military history and stories are told.
Individual history is told of those men who volunteered from Finley and district, together with those born and raised in Finley who enlisted elsewhere.
Mention is also made of men who were enlisted and declared medically unfit.
This book also covers the soldier settlement at Blighty from 1918 to 1923 and lists, along with stories, blocks allocated to returned soldiers.
It appears the Finley School of Arts was used frequently for presentations, farewells and welcome home functions during this time.
One particular item of interest tells of when the news of the Armistice reached Finley on the afternoon of November 11, 1918.
Some of the local enlisted soldiers who were home at the time decided to celebrate the end of the war and ended up appearing in court on quite serious charges, having incurred the displeasure of the local police.
This 258 page, A4 book should prove interesting reading to many local families and those interested in the history of Finley.
The book launch will take place this Sunday, April 23 at the Finley RS Club from 2.30pm.
An indication of attendance and pre-orders of books can be made by contacting John Hand in Finley on 0428 831 317, or Graeme on 0488 574 622.
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Members of the Retreat Hall Committee would like to advise that they will be holding an Old Time Dance at the hall this Friday, commencing at 7.30pm.
Ian Stewart’s Music will once again be in attendance.
It is well recognised that dancing is stimulating physically and mentally for older people, as well as the social aspect of the activity.
Many say they can’t dance. But when they give it a try, they are surprised to find they do succeed.
Practice sessions are held at the Retreat Hall each Monday evening from 7.30pm, and all ages are most welcome to attend.
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It’s movie time again at the Finley Uniting Church Hall, in Coree St, Finley.
A movie will be held tomorrow commencing at 10:00am.
The hall will be warm and morning tea will be enjoyed.
A donation of $2 would be appreciated. Finishing time will be around 12pm or 12.30pm.
The organisers, members of Finley Uniting Church Adult Fellowship, would like to extend an invitation to all interested members of the community to go along and enjoy the show.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Myra Cowell on 0428 826 338.
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In the lead up to Anzac Day, members of the Finley RSL Sub-branch will be selling badges and RSL paraphernalia in the CBD.
The Anzac Day Dawn Service will take place on Tuesday, April 25 at the cenotaph in the Finley Memorial Park, with the community asked to gather at 5.50am.
For the mid-morning service, the march will form up at the corner of Ulupna and Murray Sts from 10.15am, and then move off at approximately 10.45am to Finley Memorial Park for the service.
Transport is available at the form-up for those who cannot march.
Also, a reminder that the sub-branch will be holding a street stall this Friday and donations of cakes, slices and other saleable goods would be much appreciated.
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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.
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