Finley’s Memorial Park rose gardens have undergone a transformation, provided by Berrigan Shire Council maintenance overseer Andrew Frazer and his team.
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Soil replacement where necessary, an upgraded irrigation system, rosemary plants where roses struggled to survive because of adjacent trees, and new roses to replace those that had not survived has been an extensive project.
The roses will be well on their way in time for Remembrance Day in November.
They will reach their best next year when the 100th birthday of the dedication of the obelisk honouring WWI enlistments from Finley is celebrated.
The RSL Sub-branch is very fortunate with its newest member, Neville Grigsby, bringing his expertise for ongoing maintenance to the project.
Before settling in Finley, Neville was the horticulturist responsible for the Toowoomba Hospital gardens. He’s also owned an avocado orchard previously.
Neville is a keen model railroad enthusiast and would like to meet others with the same interest, when he is not keeping a keen eye on the roses.
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The Berrigan Shire Dementia Alliance (formerly the Finley Dementia Alliance) will be recommencing their monthly morning teas in Berrigan at the home of Muriel and David Rockliff from October 12.
Their home is at 2 Alexandra Avenue, Berrigan, and sessions will be held from 10am to noon.
These morning teas provide a relaxed, non-threatening environment where people with a diagnosis of dementia, their carers and relatives can come to talk about their day-to-day challenges with members of the alliance.
Members have all had previous experience in this field.
While this gathering is being held in Berrigan, it is open to residents from all towns in the shire.
Anyone with a concern regarding dementia is welcome to attend.
While registrations are not compulsory, RSVPs to help with catering would be appreciated.
Call Tanya Dunn on 0427 752 496 by Monday October 10.
Anyone deciding to attend at the last minute will still be most welcome.
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The 2022 season of the Finley Lions Club wood raffle came to a conclusion last Saturday.
The members would like to thank the community for once again making this such a financial success.
About $6000 was raised over the months, and congratulations must go to all those who gave so generously of their time and effort to obtain this magnificent result.
Denise McLean was thrilled to win the last load of wood, and Pam May could not believe she was fortunate enough to win the fire pit made by John O’Rourke.
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Angus Urquhart performed well in Sydney last week at the McKillip Athletics, coming in eighth in shotput when competing with students from 11 other Catholic Diocese.
Angus had only two months to continue to improve after coming in first in the Wagga Diocese before heading to Sydney.
He is to be commended on the time and effort he put in to reach such a high level.
Well done, Angus.
You are a credit to your family and St Joseph’s School.
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The venue for the Finley Garden Lovers Club meeting on October 3 has been changed from Marcia Bourke’s home back to the regular venue of the Finley RS Club.
It will start at 2pm.
The change has been necessary due to the current wet conditions.
As Marcia’s garden is included in the Tocumwal Open Gardens event on October 23, it would be disastrous to cause damage to the area.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the group is in need of a second table judge to assist Di Krasowski.
If any member can fill in, contact secretary Julie Stava, on 0408 648 494.
The October table special themes are: first – Bird of Paradise flower (Strelitzia) in water; second – Flower and Foliage arrangement in vase (no oasis); third – unusual cactus or succulent in a pot.
New members are most welcome.
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Family and friends of Leo Little gathered at his home on Saturday to help him celebrate his 80th birthday.
His wife Lyn and children Ros, Bernard, Jacinta and Rebecca worked extremely hard to cater lunch for the group, and Leo thanked everyone for making it such a special day.
All nine of their grandchildren were present and really gave Grandfather a run for his money!
Lyn is reported to have sore knees from praying to the rain gods for the past two weeks for fine weather, and it certainly proved successful.
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John Hogan also had a special birthday to celebrate when he turned 70 on September 20.
Celebrations began early when son Rob and his wife Tracy, and their family, arrived from Mt Isa on the September 18.
Celebrations continued all week in the lead up to the get-together on Saturday evening.
John and Joan’s other children Dan (Emerald), Clare and Bridget (both from Shepparton), Eleanor and Victoria (both from Melbourne) and Isabelle (Finley) - together with 14 of the 15 grandchildren - have given John a week he will remember (and need to recover from) for a very long time.
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