16th March 2019 – In the Past – 25 and 50 Years ago


Compiled from the Daily Advertiser

by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society


25 Years Ago

  • Arthur Summons is about to “hang up his boots” as secretary-manager of the Wagga Leagues Club after 30 years.
  • Bert Schmidt, known affectionately throughout the Riverina as “Mr Football” has died after a short illness.
  • About 300 people gathered in the Victory Memorial Gardens for a concert to celebrate International Woman’s Day which was opened by Sue Benedyka, chief executive of the Riverina Regional Development Board.
  • School captains at Sacred Heart Primary School this year are Tim Egan and Josephine Flynn with Craig Robertson and Ruth Devlin as vice captains.
  • Judy Gooden who served in many community organisations including 21 years as secretary of the Wagga School of Arts has died.
  • More than 6000 people visited the annual Homemakers Fair organised by the Wagga Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Kyeamba Smith Hall.
  • Almost 150 people attended the auction of an old brick house at 63 Trail Street which was sold by Jim Doig of Ray White Real Estate for $231,000.
  • Carmel Coggin and Brenton Fletcher have been elected as the first school captains at Kurrajong Park School.
  • Minister for Lands and Water Conservation, George Souris is visiting Wagga and said that the State Government hoped to be “on top” of the toxic blue green algae threat to waterways by the turn of the century.
  • Ray Willett, president of the Wagga Volunteer Rescue Association was disgusted that his car was broken into while attending an incident with the squad.
  • Gary Gaffney, Council’s engineering program co-ordinator said that a review into the central Wagga road system was being prepared by council’s traffic committee.
  • A 13-year old Wagga boy has been charged with fraud offences totalling $11,000 against his step-father.

50 Years Ago

  • Lynne Barr is Wagga’s first papergirl having joined the group of 17 paperboys delivering newspapers each morning from the Turvey Tops newsagency.
  • Soaking rains of up to three inches were a mixed blessing for farmers but described by Mr R C Madsen, Regional Supervisor of the Department of Agriculture as “delightful”.
  • Forty-four people, most of them housewives were fined a total of $1104 in Wagga Court for not having radio and television licences.
  • Council is introducing a daily clean-up of “starling nuisance” in both Gurwood and Trail Streets.
  • The first boxing tournament held in Wagga since 1961 was held at the Wagga Leagues Club.
  • Mt Austin High School principal, Mr C Oliver, said increasing traffic congestion in Leavenworth Drive was becoming unbearable.
  • Max Woods had a hole-in-one during the par event at the Wagga Country Golf Club.
  • Det Sgt Les Lundie told a Chamber of Commerce luncheon that shop stealing, particularly in groups had become prevalent in Wagga.
  • The Wagga Squash Courts in Johnston Street special classes and competitions for ladies.
  • Mr W Richards of Peter Street has successfully grown a 14-foot-high banana tree although it is currently only bearing six bananas.
  • Jimmy Little and the Townsmen are playing at this Saturday’s RSL Club Ladies night.
  • Ald W C Fife, Council’s Finance Committee Vice-Chairman said the Parks and Gardens Department had overspent its budget last year by $11,949 or 27%.
  • Gus and Mick Kerlin with Allan Shepherd have opened new premises for Don Jones Tyre Service in Hammond Avenue.

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

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