Finley Regional Care Auxiliary president Sue Hand (left) with Marj Maxwell.
Members of Finley Regional Care Auxiliary gathered in the activities room at the facility last Wednesday to pay tribute to Marj Maxwell, who has been involved in the organisation, both on the board and as president, for many years.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Records show that, at the first annual meeting following the opening of the original Berriquin Nursing Home, Marj was elected as one of six directors.
Current president Sue Hand presented Marj with a Certificate of Appreciation and a lovely floral arrangement at the morning tea and described the many attributes Marj has contributed over the years.
Reports have it that her sponges have always been eagerly sought after whenever fundraising events have taken place.
Marj Maxwell with daughter Jenny McNamara.
CEO Ben Levesque thanked Marj on behalf of the board for her contribution and the important role she has played in the development of the facility.
“Although I am stepping back a little because of my age, I will still continue to cook for streets stalls and support other fundraising activities,” Marj explained.
Marj was accompanied by her daughter Jenny for the occasion and was delighted to chat with Margaret McLeod who was one of many originally involved in procuring the aged care facility for the area.
•••
Fr Prasanth with Anne Beazley, Greg McNamara, Margaret Lacy and Ari Jadi.
There was a mixture of emotions at a gathering of the retiring band of St Vincent de Paul clothing sorters in the Marian Room at the Finley Catholic Presbytery last Friday.
The retail manager for NSW has said it is no longer viable for the trucks to come from Lavington to collect bags of sorted clothing and linen, resulting in the blue bins being removed from the Finley facility.
The volunteers were thanked by Fr Prasanth, Greg McNamara and Ari Jadi, manager at Lavington St Vincent de Paul for the time and effort they have given over the years dealing with the items generously donated by members of the community.
A special presentation was made to Anne Beazley who, although no official records have been kept, is believed to have been assisting for more than 50 years. She volunteered on a regular basis until last year, when ill health forced her to give up.
Although this service has been in operation officially for 36 years following a bequest from former Parish Priest Father Josko, resulting in the building being completed and dedicated in 1990, there are varying opinions of how long help has been available for those in need.
It is understood that Anne Beazley was unofficially handed the job of sorting and distributing clothing more than 50 years ago.
The Finley St Vincent de Paul group (back, from left) John Lacy, Alison Lang, Bernadette Agosta, Greg McNamara, Shareide Rapsing, Julie Congram, Robyn Beazley, Jane Middlebrook, Marg Nisbet, Ari Jadi and Ofelia and Don Cochrane; (front) Judy Rourke, Margaret Lacy, Anne Beazley, Fr Prasanth, Gwen James.
Her husband Joe explained: “It all started when our eldest daughter made her First Holy Communion. Things were tight back then and people often passed clothing around when no longer needed.
“A lovely lady from the church community gave Anne a beautiful communion dress for our daughter, along with some other clothing that her family no longer needed. Her comment was to take what she needed and give the rest away.”
This resulted in bags of clothing being given to Anne. Anonymous people often left bags near the Beazley’s bright green station wagon while she was at the supermarket shopping, and it wasn’t long before their garage floor was covered in clothing.
Anne sorted, washed and ironed clothes and would drop them off at St. Vincent de Paul in Cobram as there was no such facility in Finley.
After some discussion at the recent gathering, it was also suggested that the group could have been operating back in 1974.
Greg McNmara explained that all other St Vincent de Paul welfare assistance given to those in need will still be available, including the traditional Christmas hampers.
Anne Beazley (centre) with her daughters Robyn Beazley and Bernadette Agosta.
•••
Members of Can Assist Finley branch would like to advise that the street stall held last Friday, May1 was very successful, and thank everyone for their support and donations.
The Mother’s Day raffle was drawn, and Gary Maher was the lucky winner of the first prize of a voucher for Fussy As Cleaning.
Second prize of a Divine gift pack was won by Jan Gray and third prize, dinner for two on Mother’s Day at the Tuppal Hotel was won by Sharon Brooks.
Congratulations to all winners.
•••
Just a reminder of the special sale being held at the moment and finishing on Saturday, May 16 at the Finley Hospital Op Shop.
For a donation, customers can get all the clothing they can manage to take! Priced items not included.
So be sure to call in to the Op Shop, have a chat with the lovely volunteers, see how much clothing you can handle; make a donation and enjoy the results.
•••
An update from Finley LHAC.
Do you know the current state of your health?
The Shane Warne Legacy Health Station is in Berrigan for the entire month of May. This Health Station is designed to give insights into your personal vital health metrics.
Drop into Dawmac in Chanter St Berrigan during the month to access the machine to do a quick, five-minute health check of your blood pressure, BMI, heart rate and body composition.
This is a free service and will indicate whether you should see your doctor as a follow-up. This five-minute check could change your life!
•••
It was great to see the smiling faces of members of Finley Lions Club at the street stall venue last Saturday selling tickets in the wood raffle once again.
The first winner for the 2026 season is Sandra Emery. Well done, Sandra.
•••
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.
