Surrounded by family and friends, laughter, and the stories that have shaped their lives, they honoured a woman whose strength, kindness and love have been the heart of their family for decades.
It was a night filled with gratitude, joy and deep appreciation for everything she has given to her family who considered it a privilege to celebrate 80 beautiful years.
The day was all about honouring Lyn, spoiling her, and enjoying the moments that make family so special.
Her children have always known that Lyn adored the Queen and in return, they treated her like one. And true to form, Lyn embraced that role with grace, humour and just the right amount of royal flair.
The family was thankful as the weather cooled down just in time for the beautiful celebrations held in Roz and David’s garden. More than 80 people were in attendance, with the meal catered for by Kate Murray and Gaye Maxwell.
Lyn’s children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews were present to sing happy birthday.
Lyn was most appreciative of the time and effort extended by her three children in organising the celebrations, not only on the day, but also a family only gathering the day before the major event.
She felt very humbled by the number of people who had gathered to give her their best wishes. Some family members had travelled from as far away as Tasmania.
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At this time, the start of a new year, it might be appropriate to republish an item that appeared in the Finley Free Press on Saturday, October 14, 1899, by ‘Wotty the Sprinkler’ titled ‘The Finley District – Past and Present’:
Looking backward for a period of thirteen years, what a vast difference is perceptible in this district to what it was then.
About that time, farmers began to immigrate to this colony in search of larger holdings, and as the early selectors had completed their term of residence, and were anxious to sell, land was obtainable at prices ranging from 25s to 50s per acre, but the larger amount was secured by the squatters, as “dummyism” was practised to an alarming extent in New South Wales in those days.
But the bona fide selectors were bought out by the Victorian farmers, and they made a legitimate profit out of the land, as they had spent very little upon it in the way of improvements.
This was the beginning of practical farming in the Riverina, and at that time the whole of the country, from Tocumwal to Jerilderie, was a wilderness of timber and scrub, and the only signs of advancement was in the fact that the trees had been rung, and the existence of fences at intervals; otherwise no sign of human life was visible, and for stretches of many miles, the only living objects met with were sheep, kangaroos, emus etc.
There were thousands and thousands of acres of land virtually going to waste, being used for grazing purposes only, and scarcely carrying one sheep to three acres.
But with the advent of the farming community, about the year 1885, civilisation and improvement began in this district, and year by year the population increased, and gradually the country was opened up, and the splendid agricultural quality of the land soon became a topic of conversation that reached beyond Australian shores.
Thus, it was that in a few years a general rush was made for Riverina soil, and the squatters, tempted by prospects of future prosperity, were prevailed upon to lease the land for wheat growing.
About eight years ago, several farmers from Tasmania came over and took up large holdings in the vicinity of Murray Hut, and in the same year the first sale of township blocks took place, realising some very high prices. Work being plentiful, the population was rapidly increasing.
The Murray Hut Hotel was then the only building in existence here, and was kept by Thomas Connors, who also discharged the duties of postmaster, and it was a usual occurrence for crowds as many as fifty people to be assembled there on a Saturday night, and many tales are told of times of revelry being spent within the walls of the old place, times that are gone, perhaps never to return, and many of the young men that were then in the district are now scattered in all parts of Australia.
In the same year, the first notable football club was formed, under the captaincy of Jack Cashmore. They defeated all teams with which they came in contact, and won the Gleeson 1893 trophy, a feat that has never been performed by a team of Finley footballers since. Cashmore is now in Western Australia and doing well.
Some seven years ago, tradespeople began to make their appearance, and the Tuppal hotel was built by Mr Jonathan Howard, but was sold to Mr James Burbury when completed, who opened it with a “free night” which will long be remembered by those who were present as one of the liveliest nights Finley has ever seen.
The town then contained two hotels, one baker, one butcher, one blacksmith, one store and one saddler; and as the seasons were all that could be desired for agricultural pursuits, Finley bid fair to become one of the most prosperous and thriving towns in the Riverina.
Business people were doing a roaring trade, and farmers were succeeding well beyond their expectations.
As the future was so alluring agitation was at once commenced for a railway, but far better would it have been for those most concerned if the agitation had been for a supply of fresh water, as this is a necessary adjunct which has been sadly neglected, and undoubtedly would have done more good for this town than the railway has, or is ever likely to do.
Agitation for the railway was carried on with renewed vigour, and with Berrigan as a rival, where no stone was left unturned, to secure the railway, and after a hard-fought battle, they won the prize.
Nearing the end of 1896, Messrs O’Brien Bros. opened a store, the previous storekeeper, Mr. Jon Donkin, having left to open the Murray Bridge hotel at Tocumwal. At this period, Finley was minus a store for about four months.
The Murray Hut was sold in this year and came into possession of the present proprietor. The hotels were then doing a splendid trade, and those who sometimes imbibed too freely in the intoxicating beverage were frequently seen staggering about or galloping horses harum-scarum down the road from Burb’s to Tindale’s.
Last year the official opening of the railway had been looked forward to as a time of festivity and rejoicing, but when the day arrived, it was marked by the gloomy outlook which the future contained for all concerned.
A boiling hot sun poured down on the heads of those who had assembled to take part in, or to witness the ceremony.
When the Commissioners arrived by train from Sydney, they were met by a surging and swaying crowd of people, men, women and children, who thronged the platform from end to end.
After alighting, the Commissioners were driven through the town, and after cracking sundry bottles of “fiz”, they eventually landed at the School of Arts, where a banquet was held in the evening, there being close on a hundred people present.
At this banquet, some of the leading requirements of the district were put before those gentlemen, who promised everything and no doubt forgot all about it in the next minute. However, matters in connection with the artesian bore were pushed ahead, and the contract let – let! yes, let rip, by the humbug sent here by the Government to do the work, which is of such vital importance to the whole of the Riverina.
The population of Finley, at the present time, is just about two hundred and twenty all told. Thus, when taking into consideration the fact that the town has been at a standstill for the past eighteen months, it will be seen what rapid progress took place in less than five years.
The drought has had a damaging affect on the town, but we have suffered nothing here in comparison with other districts in the Riverina, where stock has been dying in hundreds, through scarcity of feed and water, and selectors have been forced to abandon their holdings.
And now the history of Finley is told, both past and present, and the future remains to speak for itself. Let us hope that it will be prosperous, as it surely must be after so much adversity.
In a few years hence, visitors to Finley may see a town of five times the present size, surrounded by a wealthy community.
Perhaps in the future, when the Finley district is flourishing, you may happen to look back and read these lines, and more fully appreciate the efforts of
“Wotty the Sprinkler”.
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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 Riverine News office.
Please include a contact name and phone number.
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