Finley, New South Wales
| Finley New South Wales | |
|---|---|
 Murray Street (Newell Highway), the main street of Finley | |
  Finley | |
| Coordinates | 35°38′0″S 145°34′0″E / 35.63333°S 145.56667°ECoordinates: 35°38′0″S 145°34′0″E / 35.63333°S 145.56667°E |
| Population | 1,921 (2011 census)[1] |
| Postcode(s) | 2713 |
| Elevation | 107 m (351 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Berrigan Shire |
| County | Denison |
| State electorate(s) | Murray |
| Federal Division(s) | Farrer |
Finley /ˈfɪnli/[2] is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. It is the largest town in the Berrigan Shire local government area. At the 2006 census, Finley had a population of 1,921 people.[1] The town is located approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of Albury on the intersection of the Newell Highway and Riverina Highways.
History
The post office opened on 1 January 1881 but was known as Murray Hut until 1893.[3] Europeans first settled the area around Finley in the early 1840s, with wheat becoming the main crop.
The Finley Agricultural & Pastoral Association was formed in 1912 and held its first show on 17 September 1913. The agricultural show is still held annually on the first Sunday in September (Father's Day).[4]
Periods of severe drought, combined with the Great Depression of the early 1930s, forced many farmers to abandon their holdings.
In 1935, construction on the Mulwala Canal began in order to provide employment and bring water to the area’s rich farmland.
Education
Finley has two primary schools, St Joseph's School, (Roman Catholic) and Finley Public School. Finley High School attracts students from a wide catchment including the towns of Berrigan, Tocumwal, Jerilderie and Blighty.
Finley is also home to a campus of Riverina TAFE.
Sport
Australian rules football, cricket and netball are all very popular in the town. Sporting teams include the Finley Football Club, who compete in the Murray Football League.
The Finley Rodeo Committee holds an annual rodeo every January and Finley Apex Club hosts a tractor pull every February.
Finley has an 18-hole green grass golf course.
Notable residents
- Shane Crawford - Hawthorn Australian rules footballer and 1999 Brownlow Medallist
- Allan Jeans - Hawthorn Australian rules football coach
- Jack Hawkins and his son Tom Hawkins - Geelong Australian rules footballers
- Mark Whiley - Australian rules football player for the Carlton Blues.
- Kram - member of rock band Spiderbait
- Craig Giles - musician
References
- 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Finley (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ↑ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
- ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 2008-04-11.
- ↑ Finley Show Society Inc. "History". Retrieved 2016-06-20.
External links
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