Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- High profile Liberal politician, Bronwyn Bishop, is visiting Wagga at the invitation of State Liberal Party president, Bill Heffernan and Member for Riverina, Noel Hicks.
- James Hutchinson was presented with the Diocese of Wagga media Scholarship by Director Schools, Peter O’Brien and Marie Flinn from the Catholic Women’s League.
- Dan Atkinson of the Wiradjuri Land Council said that the 120-year-old Brucedale School is to become an Aboriginal heritage and cultural centre.
- Bob Wood from Bob’s Birdz-n-Pets has opened a new store three times the size of the original shop (located next door) in Thompson Street.
- The Cancer Council has opened its first regional office in New South Wales at Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga.
- President, Chris Blake said that Steve Polsen has been appointed by the Wagga and District Soccer Association as its project manager for the development of Gissing Oval.
- Rod Ritchie, a teacher at Wagga Christian College was presented with a ministerial community service award by Police Minister Terry Griffiths for attempting to save a man who drowned on the South Coast.
- Owners, Jan and Geoff Hamilton said they were pleased that their Morgan Street Childcare Centre was now “up and running” after some controversy last year.
- The annual conference of the New South Wales Chambers of Commerce is being held in Wagga.
- Former Wagga Mayor, Councillor Ron Harris said Wagga will eventually have to sell its gas service.
- Andrew Proctor has been appointed by the Alzheimer’s Association of NSW as a dementia care counsellor in Wagga.
- Golden Valley Nursing Home proprietor, Irene Schmidt is celebrating her 14th year at the centre with fellow staff and residents.
- The final intimidation charge against former Wagga union official Peter Bohdan Zaboyak has been dismissed.
- Hotels, motels and guest houses in Wagga followed a statewide trend recording above average occupancy rates in the three months to December last year.
- Mike Francis and Jim Laurent won the two-person ambrose event at the Australian Hotels Association annual charity day at the Wagga Golf Club.
50 Years Ago
- Sir Robert Helpmann is in Wagga for the opening of the Australian Ballet Company’s two-night season of “Giselle” in the Civic Theatre.
- While in Wagga Sir Robert caught up with Mrs Phoebe Price, his dance partner back in 1928 at the “Dixieland” on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
- Riverina roads have claimed 20 lives in the first quarter of this year, three more than the same period in 1968.
- The Georgiou family have been forced out of the Ritz Cafe on the corner of Baylis and Thompson Streets as the site is to be demolished and redeveloped by The Chamber of Commerce Building Society.
- The railway gates at the Urana Street crossing are being replaced by flashing warning lights.
- The NSW Chief Soil Conservationist, Mr Jim Stewart is in Wagga meeting with Riverina District Soil Conservationist, Mr Allan Plummer.
- St Vincent de Paul Society is conducting a clothing drive with bags to be collected this Saturday.
- Two Wagga district graziers, Mr W J Lenehan and Mr S Murdoch have been elected to the Australian Poll Hereford Society Council.
- Ten-year-old Karen Roben won the Catherine Parry Cup after winning the Vocal Championship for 16 years and under at the St Andrews Junior Eisteddfod.
- Wagga Agricultural College Principal, Mr B Atkins said the College’s new proposed curriculum was radical and exciting.
- Publicity officer Mrs E G Heard said that this year’s Girraween Festival will include a garden competition.
Membership of the Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society is open to anyone with an interest in the local and regional history of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. For more information about us and information on how to join our Society please visit our website at https://www.wwdhs.org.au/about-us/members
