Expo raises $5000

By Zoe McMaugh and Anne Freestone

Aug 28, 2024

Helping at the Finley Regional Care stall were Val Hand, Margaret McLeod, Robyn Beazley, Bernie Agosta, Susan Hand, Beryl Chaplin and Alison Lowry.

The district’s most creative and artistic people, and the people who love the items they make, have helped raise much needed funds for the region’s aged.

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It is estimated at least $5000 was raised with the running of the inaugural Finley Regional Care Local Artisan and Creativity Expo on Sunday.

But it could even be more, with the Finley Regional Care Auxiliary still finalising totals yesterday.

“It was so successful, we may even consider running it again next year,” auxiliary member Sue Hand said.

“We had 42 stalls, in addition to the stalls from Finley Regional Care.

“It was difficult to estimate how many people attended, but it was very busy all day.

“We saw people we know from Deniliquin, Tocumwal, Jerilderie and Berrigan, so we know they came from all over the local area.

“Our auxiliary is small, but we had a lot of help from others in the community to run the event.

“Without their support, things would have been very difficult.”

The market was hosted at the Finley Memorial Hall, with guests able to enjoy morning and afternoon tea as well as lunch in the School of Arts Hall.

The interest from stallholders was so great, they all spilled into the School of Arts hall.

Many stallholders were from the local area, but some travelled long distances to be part of the special fundraiser.

There was a large variety of crafts on display, from ceramics, to impressive items made from golf clubs and antique furniture made from recycled wood.

Local honey, paintings by local artists and, of course, the delicious homemade cakes and slices Finley is well known for also featured.

Kim Roebuck, wife of former Finley High School teacher Bernie Roebuck, was delighted to be invited to come back to town to display her Lakeside Ceramics items, having travelled from Bellbridge near Albury.

Steve Miller travelled from Tocumwal, accompanied by his wife Lynette and her companion dog Cookie, with an incredible display of items created from used golf clubs.

Then there was Jodie Bennett from Temora who was here with items known as ‘Junk Journals’.

Some time ago Jodie was passing through and called in at the Finley Hospital Op Shop to pick up some treasures to use for her craft.

As the result of a discussion with one of the volunteers, she too was invited to attend the Expo and was delighted to attend with her sister from Shepparton.

There were several local groups with stalls including the Finley Art Group.

Pam Angove couldn’t contain her excitement when Nell Sparke purchased one of her paintings; her first-ever sale!

A fundraising raffle added to the fundraiser, and was drawn on the day.

First prize, a gourmet food package, was won by Steve Malone.

The $100 fuel voucher went to Barbara Rennick, the third prize food package was won by Ian Shalders and Lyn Pascoe claimed the native flowers from Leonie Schubert.