FURPHY Foundry and J. Furphy & Sons are this year celebrating 150 years since the company founder moved his operations to Shepparton from Kyneton, establishing an Australian manufacturing icon.
Headlining the celebrations on November 25 will be a Furphy Water Cart competition, with entrants expected from far and wide competing in five categories to be judged on the day and presented at a VIP event that evening.
Entry to the exhibition and museum will be free to the public during the day and there will be blacksmithing and water cart re-barrelling demonstrations conducted during the afternoon.
“After such a long period of time in Shepparton it is great to be able to celebrate a milestone that few businesses get to achieve. For our staff, suppliers and customers it is great to be able to reflect on the journey and share it with others,” said Furphy Foundry managing director Sam Furphy.
“We are really proud of the heritage of our businesses and the Water Cart is a perfect symbol of the Furphy Story. We hope to gather around the back of the carts on the day and tell some more stories,” added J. Furphy & Sons managing director Adam Furphy.
Competitors in the water cart competition will be invited to attend the invitation-only evening event along with staff and friends of the Furphy businesses along with family members.
Category winners will each win a limited edition Furphy Water Cart Tank End produced especially for the occasion. One of the ends will also be auctioned on the night, with proceeds going to a local charity.
The competition and exhibition will showcase the pride and joy of the Furphy collector community which counts members across the country all with a passion for the water carts.
“This will be a terrific competition and it’s a wonderful prize. We expect a strong turnout and it will be terrific to see all of the carts on display,” said Furphy Museum curator and Furphy Water Cart collector Josh Powles.
The celebrations will be held at Shepparton’s Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) – home of The Furphy Museum. Public event open from midday – 4pm. An invitation-only evening event will commence at 5:45pm
For those interested in entering a water cart in the competition please contact Josh Powles on 0417 134 850 or rumsup@hotmail.com
