Celebrations: Andrew Furphy, Cr Geoff Dobson, Adam Furphy, Mayor Shane Sali, Roger Furphy, Cr Anthony Brophy and Sam Furphy.
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Furphy’s 150th birthday celebrations have ended with a massive auction result.
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Corowa couple Malcolm and Danielle O’Toole bid a staggering $50,000 for a commemorative Furphy Tank end, taking home the coveted item.
The tank end was one of 15 manufactured by the Furphy Foundry for the 150th anniversary and is popular with collectors.
“We were not surprised that there was interest in the auction, but we were just so thrilled to see the price achieved,” Furphy Foundry managing director Sam Furphy said.
“It is a great testament to the passion and enthusiasm of the Furphy collector community out there who know and love the story.
“The money raised will go to the Lift Off Scholarship program here in Shepparton, which is a terrific program that provides scholarships to young people who are struggling to be able to move into post-secondary education.”
Winning bid: Auctioneer Kevin Hicks calls for bids on the limited edition Furphy tank end.
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Earlier in the day, Furphy also hosted a free public event, with 50 Furphy collectors bringing their Furphy tanks and other memorabilia as part of the exhibition.
The day featured demonstrations of re-barrelling — a process where the barrel of the tank is replaced with a new one to prolong its life — as well as a blacksmith demonstration, which showcased the skills originally employed by the company founder, John Furphy.
“It has been a huge build-up to the event with lots of interest, but in the end, it has been a real thrill to see all the items here on display in Shepparton — at the home of the Furphy Museum,” museum curator Josh Powles said.
The public event saw hundreds of people walk through the Furphy Museum to see the items on display, as well as many competitors competing for their own commemorative tank end in five categories.
Competition winners: Peter McCook, Brent Taylor, Fred Russo, Dave Irvin, Col and Bernie Bateman (back) with Adam Furphy, Josh Powles and Sam Furphy (front).
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“We were so happy to be able to celebrate this occasion with Shepparton,” J. Furphy & Sons managing director Adam Furphy said.
“John’s decision to move here from Kyneton 150 years ago has meant everything to the businesses that today share this history — J. Furphy & Sons and Furphy Foundry.
“We hope to be still going strong here in another 50 years!”
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