14th September 2019 – In Wagga’s Past – 25 and 50 Years ago.

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Compiled from the Daily Advertiser

by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society

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25 Years Ago

• Chairwoman of the Riverina Health Service Board Joy Ross and RHS general manager, Nancye Piercy are seeking funding of $18 million for stage two of the Wagga Base Hospital redevelopment.

• Wagga’s most senior police officer, chief Superintendent Frank Fuller has been relocated to Sydney in another major shake-up of police operations.

• Wagga marketing identity and Group Nine rugby league administrator Peter McAlister has been appointed station manager at Prime Television Wagga replacing former station manager David Wunsch.

• Mrs Anne Fewson is coordinating a group of enthusiastic volunteers aiming to raise $20,000 to assist rural families affected by drought.

• The Daily Advertiser has lodged a development application to spend almost $5 million upgrading its press hall and printing press at its premises in Trail Street.

• Southern Country Foods at Bomen has lodged a development application with Wagga City Council to improve treatment of waste water at its Byrnes Road factory.

• Stuarts Kooringal Store is advertising a dozen 61g eggs for $1.29, 2 litres of milk for $1.85 and 680g loaves of Sunicrust bread for $1.15.

• Michelle Sutton and her twin brother, Mathew Toose were proud inaugural winners of the John Jackson Memorial Trophy in the annual 27 holes mixed foursomes championship at Wagga Golf Club.

• Blind bowler, Noni Wakefield played in the combined W&DBA and CRDWBA mixed event at Wagga RSL to raise funds for the Royal Blind Society.

• The highly prized 1885 Wagga Gold Cup will be returning to the Wagga District after being purchased for $32,000 by an unknown bidder at Sotheby’s Auction in Melbourne.

• Trinity High School teacher, Coral Haezelwood and three students are recovering in hospital after a horror bus crash involving 12 Wagga students.

• Wagga CWA branch is celebrating its 70^th birthday with a luncheon to be held at the Masonic Hall in Tarcutta Street.

• Roger Ansell, manager of the Wagga Visitors Centre officially dedicated a mural recently completed by a group of Wagga Technology High School students on the Gurwood Street wall of the City Art Gallery.

• Sheila Hayes shot a hole in one at the 123-metre second hole at the Wagga Country Club.

• Wagga’s L J Hooker principal, Wes Russell was presented with an achievement award for top auction listing by L J Hooker NSW manager Bill Russell and Riverina regional manager, Ron Bland.

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50 Years Ago

• A Sydney police breathalyser squad visiting Wagga gave roadside tests to 25 drivers, charging 20 of them with driving while the level of alcohol in their blood was above the prescribed limit.

• The addition of the 23-bed psychiatric centre, Robinson House, was highlighted by Chairman of the Wagga Base Hospital Board, Mr L J Kennedy, in his Annual Report.

• Magpies coach, Arthur Summons ended his football career with the Murrumbidgee Rugby League grand final at Weissel Oval after 15 years as a footballer who represented his country in two codes.

• Wagga Quota Club president, Miss Joyce Holloway, presented half of the proceeds of a recent charity bowls event to the director of “Meals on Wheels” Rev. Keith Brooks.

• Robert Davies celebrated his 15^th birthday at the Koala Motel and is pictured in the Daily Advertiser with his sister Kim, brother Scott and mother, Mrs T Davies.

• Mitchell Shire Council will provide $3,000 towards a museum proposed for the old Brucedale Public School.

• The Police Charity Golf Day held at the Wagga Country Club raised $906 for the Wagga and District Police Citizens Boys’ Club.

• Miss Susan Mill celebrated her coming of age with a dinner hosted by her parents at the Kooringal Motel.

• Bruce Wheeler, Wagga’s Police Prosecutor for the last 11 and a half years is resigning to become a private detective.

• Country Party candidate for Farrer, Mr Don Kendell announced his withdrawal as a candidate to support the re-election of the sitting member, Mr David Fairbairn.

• Wagga Lions Club has presented Wagga Base Hospital with a cheque for $617.15 to help purchase equipment for a new eye clinic.

• The Mayor, Ald R J Harris, reviewed the quarterly Beating of Retreat Ceremony outside the Council Chambers accompanied by Col. C H A East, the Officer Commanding 1RTB Kapooka.

• Kevin Keough announced the opening of the Murrumbidgee Plant Nursery at 92 Hammond Avenue.

• Mr Bob Hartwig, Holden dealer presented a new car to Trinity Senior High School for use in the school’s driver training scheme.

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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