Celebrating an outstanding 150 years

150 YEARS OF FURPHY... From left, Andrew Furphy, Greater Shepparton City Council Cr Geoff Dobson, Adam Furphy, Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, Roger Furphy, Greater Shepparton City Council Deputy Mayor, Cr Anthony Brophy and Sam Furphy. Photo: Supplied

FURPHY Foundry and J. Furphy & Sons celebrated 150 successful years with more than 500 locals and dignitaries at the Furphy Museum in Shepparton, on Saturday November 25.

The festivities included a Furphy Water Cart Display Competition, Furphy historical works (re-barrelling), a tour of the Furphy Historical Museum, a Furphy Water Tank End Auction and dinner.

WINNERS IN Furphy Water Cart Display Competition… Back row from left is judge’s choice Peter McCook with his 1942 blood tank, people’s choice Brent Taylor with his 1920 shaft mount tank which was pulled by Macca the Clydesdale, most original Fred Russo with his 1965 tank on rubber wheels, most unique Dave Irvin with his 1893 shaft mount tank and best restored Col and Bernie Bateman with their 1930 shaft mount tank with a pump. Front row from left is J Furphy & Sons managing director Adam Furphy, Furphy Museum Curator Josh Powles and Furphy Foundry managing director Sam Furphy. Photo: Supplied

Exhibitors displayed 23 Furphy Water Carts of different styles and 15 Water Tank Ends – featuring a new design – were cast to commemorate the occasion, with five being awarded to the winners of the Furphy Water Cart Competition.

A massive $50,000 was raised for the only tank end sold under the hammer at the celebration. The proceeds will go to the local ‘Lift Off’ scholarship program to assist young people in the community make the next step to secondary education.

150 YEARS OF FURPHY… From left, Andrew Furphy, Greater Shepparton City Council Cr Geoff Dobson, Adam Furphy, Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, Roger Furphy, Greater Shepparton City Council Deputy Mayor, Cr Anthony Brophy and Sam Furphy. Photo: Supplied

“It was a fantastic night as a family and business to celebrate this milestone with so many members of the Shepparton community and over 50 Furphy collectors,” said Adam Furphy.

“We were blown away by the auction of commemorative limited edition water cart ends, and absolutely thrilled to see $50k go towards the ‘Lift Off’ Scholarships initiative,” added Sam Furphy.

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