News

Finley's decade of dog triumphs

By Contributed

Jun 16, 2026

Open placegetters Will Goggin, Justin Lawman and Paul Darmody. Photo by Victoria Kennedy

A milestone worth celebrating was reached by the Finley Show Society over the King’s Birthday long weekend, as they marked 10 years of the annual Sheep Dog Trials.

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Twenty-seven dog trailers from across NSW and Victoria made the journey to Finley with 105 dogs to compete in the three-day event.

Bredbo’s Will Goggin, last year’s open winner, achieved back-to-back wins with ‘Kirkvale Mango’, scoring a total of 180 points.

Bungendore’s Paul Darmody and ‘Wynella Gristle’ scored a total of 155 in the improver competition, and Tomboye’s Linda Dening and ‘Springvale Ren’ won the novice competition with a score of 176 points.

The encourage competition was taken out by Carngham’s Tony Pisano with a score of 59.

Finley Show Society vice president Carol Kennedy said it was a great weekend.

Numbers were slightly down, resulting in only the finals being run on Sunday morning, but the weather helped make the weekend an enjoyable celebration of 10 years.

On Saturday night, the annual dinner brought together competitors, volunteers, and sponsors to catch up, connect, and strengthen the friendships built over the last decade.

“The dinner was made even more special with dessert toppers, kindly donated by Made by Matheson, that marked 10 years, and everyone was excited to have a little memento to take home with them.”

The show committee thanked all the sponsors, volunteers, and the dog trailers who continue to attend the event each year, many of whom have been involved ever since the inaugural trials in 2016.

This includes DogPro, Bruce Atkinson of Hatfield Pastoral for use of his sheep, and Kevin Sexton for the livestock transport.

There won’t be much rest for the members of the Finley Show Society, with preparations for the 108th Finley Show well underway.

The show is the first Sunday of September - on Father’s Day. The show schedule is being finalised and will be available mid-July.

Full results from the Dog Trials are as follows:

Open - Will Goggin and Kirkvale Mango, 91+89 for 180, 1; Will Goggin and Vaimari Trixie, 87+89 for 176, 2; Will Goggin and Springvale Colly, 88+85 for 173, 3; Justin Lawmna and MGH Conan, 9+82 for 171, 4; Will Goggin and Springvale Carlos, 89+76 for 165, 5; Paul Darmody and Annaway Dotti, 90+DQ for 90, 6.

Improver - Paul Darmody with Wynella Gristle, 86+69 for 155, 1; Eileen Moriarty and Riverbourne Aggy, 77+73 for 150, 2; Justin Lawman and MGH Conan, 89+55 for 144, 3; Robyn Elliott and Riverbourne Gordo, 68+61 for 129, 4; Linda Dening and Riverbourne Neo, 77+50 for 127, 5; Will Goggin and Springvale Dolly, 88+DQ for 88, 6.

Novice - Linda Dening and Springvale Ren, 93+83 for 176, 1; Peter Oxley and Rivlin Hatty, 72+49 for 121, 2; Barry McKenzie and Belondajon Minnie, 84+R for 84, 3; Sarah Sydrich and Wondara Ruby, 78+R for 78, 4; Jess MacLeod and Freeway Que, 75+SCR for 75, 5; Justin Lawman and MGH Conan, 73+SCR for 73, 6.

Encourage - Tony Pisano with Doc, 59, 1; Rachel Clancy with Jazz, 44, 2.