Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
The district is bracing for its second big weekend in a row, and another important injection to the local economy.
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On the back of some big weekends in Berrigan, Tocumwal and Jerilderie in the past few weeks, the action is again centred on Berrigan Shire for three important events this weekend.
Expect community spirit, a touch of racing royalty, with families in search of school holiday fun.
Plus, you can add the run-off benefit of the world famous Deni Ute Muster this weekend, with many ticket holders expected to pass through the region before and after.
Leading the charge in the Southern Riverina this weekend is the 125th annual Berrigan Show on Sunday.
As a special feature, it will include the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.
Thanks to the Berrigan & District Race Club, the $850,000 gold cup will make its first appearance in the community in almost 20 years.
Showgoers will have the chance to hold the prized trophy, and have their photo taken with it.
It’s one part of an action-packed day of family fun, with traditional show favourites complemented by cup-themed events like colouring competitions, hobbyhorse races, a spring hat parade, themed cakes and floral arrangements, and Off The Track equestrian classes featuring retired racehorses.
Victorian Racing Club representatives and retired steward Des Gleeson will present the cup and host a Q&A following the show’s official opening.
Beyond the Cup, the Berrigan Show will host a vibrant mix of rural traditions and family entertainment, from horse and poultry competitions to sideshow alley, pet parade, Kidz Zone, jumping castles, face painting, and more.
The other big event in the district this weekend is the Finley Public School’s 130th anniversary celebrations.
The school will open its doors for visitors to explore, reminisce, and reconnect with old classmates while reflecting on its rich history and evolution.
As luck would have it, the town will also host a Finley Rotaract Reunion at the Finley RS Club on Saturday evening, welcoming past members from 1971 to 1992.
Organisers are thrilled with the response and are expecting plenty of familiar faces and heartfelt memories.
Murrumbidgee Council Mayor Ruth McRae OAM.
Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean said this weekend adds to a program of spring events that is already seeing the region thriving, helped by back-to-back long weekends (the Victorian AFL grand final public holiday last Friday and NSW Labour Day this coming Monday).
She said it adds to the excitement that came with the Tocumwal Air Show and the Berrigan Fire Service 125th anniversary, with the Berrigan Cup Races on Melbourne Cup Day weekend being the next big weekend on the schedule.
Adding to the local appeal is the recent switching on of the shire’s water parks.
“It’s great to see everything coming this way,” she said.
“It seems like after the grand final and with school holidays, lots of travel happens.
“The Melbourne Cup Day long weekend is the Berrigan Cup and Derby Day, so expect increased tourism. That means now’s the time to book.”
Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae OAM echoed the sentiments, noting a clear boost in traffic and local spending.
“Lots of people stop and support our towns - the bakery, supermarkets, service stations.
“They enjoy our parks and gardens, or the lake in Jerilderie, and it’s great for the economy.”
Cr McRae pointed to a string of recent events, from the Jerilderie races last weekend, to the Darlington Point Pig Races and footy finals, as key drivers of the tourism boom.
“It’s all been happening since the beginning of September,” she said.
Locals are certainly ready to roll out the welcome mat, in anticipation of another strong weekend in the Southern Riverina.
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