Plans are well in hand for the celebrations of Finley’s St Mary’s Catholic Church’s 120 anniversary, and 70 years as a parish, to take place on Sunday, October 6 with the 10.15am Mass followed by morning tea/lunch.

It would be appreciated if those attending could bring a plate to share.

In the early years, according to records sourced from Diocesan archivist Kay Judd from Wagga Wagga, Finley parishioners were first visited by priests from Corowa which became a parish in 1878.

When Berrigan became a parish in 1892, Finley formed part of that parish.

Then, in 1903, Finley became part of the Jerilderie Parish until, 1954 when Finley was established as a separate parish.

Services were held in various places when possible, which included the Murray Hut situated on William McNamara’s property, which was first licensed in September 1879 and became a venue for periodical worship, baptisms and marriages.

Private homes were also made available for these needs.

In 1894, the original School of Arts opened and every three weeks it became the venue for Sunday Mass.

When this hall was almost totally destroyed by fire in 1901, Mass was celebrated in the Billiard Room of the Murray Hut Hotel for the next three and a half years.

In 1904, the eastern section of St Mary’s Church was built by JT Close at a cost of £323.14 ($647.49).

The block of land was donated by William Tindale of the Murray Hut Hotel.

Fr Peter McAlroy was the Parish Priest and served to 1909.

In 1954, Finley finally became a parish in its own right and has continued to serve the community’s needs to the present.

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Members of CanAssist Finley branch and the community are advised that the annual general meeting will take place at the Country Club, Finley on Tuesday, October 8, at 6pm.

New members are always welcome so please feel free to attend.

All funds raised by CanAssist Finley branch stay locally and are used to assist those in Finley and surrounding areas in their journey with cancer.

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Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Finley is holding its Parish Fete on Saturday, October 12, beginning at 9am, and winding down from 2pm or so.

This year's theme is ‘Rainbow’.

It is the first time the fete has been up and running since COVID, so the parish is excited to be holding the fete once again.

There will be morning tea, a barbecue, beverages, plant stall, cakes and produce, donuts, craft stalls, children's activities, colouring competition, a money tree, spinning wheel, raffle and a Single Bloom competition.

So put on something colourful, collect the best flower in your garden to enter the bloom competition, and go on down to the Anglican Church, situated on the corner of Coree and Pinnuck Sts, to enjoy a lovely day out.

In the event of bad weather, the fete will move into the church hall.

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Finley’s Driver Reviver teams were back on deck over the weekend with the start of the Victorian school holidays.

Ken and Josie Higgins attended to Bob White from Deniliquin, who decided to drop in for a chat and a coffee after attending the Show ‘N’ Shine in Finley.

He was impressed with the manner in which the event was conducted.

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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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