Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Forty homes in Athol Street were lit up thisweek as part of the annual Athol Street Christmas celebrations, said organiser Ray Lucas.
- Wagga’s old Phoenix Hall originally opened as the Builders Arms Hotel in 1877 has been redeveloped as the new offices of Peter Davies Real Estate.
- Wagga firm, Teasco has won a $200,000 contract to supply skylights for the Sydney International Aquatic Centre being constructed for the 2000 Olympics at Homebush.
- MTC chairman, Murdoch McLennan said, that delays to a $2.3 million training track development at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club has caused next years Wagga Gold Cup to be rescheduled from May until November.
- Chairman of the Calvary Board of Management, WalFife said that the hospital has reached and passed its building fundraising target of $3 million.
- Paul Smithson has been appointed as chairman of a new Calvary Hospital Foundation to keep up the work undertaken at Calvary over the last five years.
- Spokeswoman for the Wagga Asthma Foundation, Gay Karas, warned that the death this week of a local man from an asthma attack was a “strong warning” to other asthma sufferers.
- A giant crow is being considered by TourismWagga Wagga in its search for a major tourist attraction.
- Wagga City Council is fighting with Australia Post to retain the city’s former postmark which has been replaced by that of the Riverina Mail Centre.
- Wagga school girl athletes, Katherine O’Neil and Melanie Bradley both won bronze medals at the Australian All Schools Championships in Canberra.
- Manchester and curtain specialty store, Mansours is opening a new store in Wagga next to Country Road in Baylis Street.
50 Years Ago
- The first concert held by the Yvonne O’ConnorDancing School was held at the Civic Theatre and included dancers Fiona Wright, Debbie Finn and Therese Simpson.
- Ald R J Harris was re-elected Mayor of Wagga for the third successive year defeating Ald R L Brunskill by seven votes to five in a secret ballot.
- Ald Cec Toy was elected deputy Mayor defeating Ald W P Brennan and Ald E M Geoghegan after Ald M Gissing declined nomination.
- Wagga City Council raised the Mayor’s allowance by $250 to $2500, the first increase in seven years.
- More than 1500 people with burning candles attended Carols by Candlelight in the Victory Memorial Gardens which featured a large choir of 150 school children singing traditional Christmas songs.
- Wal Fife MLA and the Mayor, Ald R J Harris were hosted at the Senior Citizens Association Christmas Party by AssociationPresident,
Mrs M Holt.
- Sergeant Robinson, Superintendent of Riverina Traffic Police said that a
breathalyser machine will arrive soon and that a special 24-hour squad will use the machine to test drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Meanwhile David Jones is selling a “Breathmeter” kit said to be identical to that used in preliminary roadside testing by police.
- Mail officers, Bill Marsh and Sid Smith are pictured in the Daily Advertiser sorting thousands of Christmas mail parcels at Wagga Post Office.
- Calvary Hospital Ladies Auxiliary took more than $5,000 at the annual Calvary Hospital Fete.
- The Australian Post Office is advertising in the Daily Advertiser an examination for permanent appointment as telephonist at Ganmain.
- Commercial Club won the Wagga and District Bowling Association No. 3 Pennant defeating Wagga RSL outright by 84 to 62.
