Finley station, built in an American "pioneer" style as cost saving measure during the depression at the turn of the 19th century.
Finley (pronounced /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 2,054 people.[1] The town is located approximately 140 kilometres (87 mi) west of Albury on the intersection of the Newell Highway and Riverina Highways.
[edit] 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.
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.
[edit] Education
Finley has two primary schools, Catholic Primary School St Josephs and Finley Public School. Finley High School attracts students from a wide catchment from around and including the towns of Berrigan, Tocumwal, Jerilderie and Blighty.
Finley is also home to a campus of Riverina TAFE.
[edit] Why go there
Located near the Murray River, Finley is the centre of the Berriquin Irrigation Area, and boasts an artificial lake perfect for various water sports and lakeside picnics.
Finley is a perfect place to take a break while travelling along the Newell Highway, south to Victoria or north to Queensland.
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 a annual rodeo every January and Finley Apex Club hosts a tractor pull every February.
[edit] Notable Residents
Notable persons from Finley include:
[edit] References
Coordinates: 35°38′S 145°34′E / 35.633°S 145.567°E / -35.633; 145.567
[edit] External links
