Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Councillor Osborne said Wagga needed a second lake with Lake Albert inadequate for many water sports and boating.
- Known affectionately as Wagga’s trivia king, Bernie O’Connor has died at the age of forty after a two-year battle with cancer.
- The Sturt Highway through Wagga will be upgraded over the next three years at a cost of up to $6 million.
- Councillor Joe Mason-Cox believes Council should move out of sponsoring shows at the Civic Theatre and hand the job over to free enterprise.
- Wagga City Bowling Club members have voted to relocate to the leagues club where it plans to build two bowling greens and a small clubhouse.
- Wagga is hosting the seventh National 1 and 2 Cylinder Rally for Veteran Vehicles which has attracted some 75 entrants.
- John Crosier who spoke at Probus this week has compiled an autobiography tracing his ancestors back to 1751.
- Australia Post has agreed to reinstate the city’s name on the date stamp used on mail posted in the city.
- Wagga taxi’s have a new rostering system which will see half the usual number of cabs on the road on some week nights.
- Allan Norris representing the Riverina Regional Development Board will attend a special forum at the Homebush Olympic Centre seeking potential benefits for the region from the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
- Kooringal High School boys’ volleyball team was again named Riverina champions at the regional volleyball carnival.
- Don Joyes was guest of honour at the dedication of the newly upgraded Joyes Hall at Charles Sturt University.
- The William Farrer Hotel was the victim of Wagga’s third major robbery in three weeks when $5,000 was stolen on Tuesday night.
- The first students to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) by distance education graduated at Charles Sturt University this week.
- Lights at the Jubilee Park synthetic hockey field were officially switched on by Member for Wagga, Joe Schipp.
50 Years Ago
- Mr Harold Fife, President of the Wagga Sub-Branch of the RSL described this years Anzac Day march as “by far the most successful held” with an estimated 3,000 people standing three and four deep along Baylis Street.
- Mayor, Ald R J Harris said that Wagga’s population was now in excess of 27,500.
- Edmondson’s new Food Fair, facing the new Golden Square car park, has opened.
- School principal, Mr C S Oliver said a new car park accommodating 60 vehicles would be built on the school’s grounds.
- The number of persons receiving unemployment benefits in Wagga at the end of March was far less than the same time last year during the drought.
- Dr Peter and Mrs Macneill’s house in Coleman Street has been restored to the glory of its 1880’s construction.
- Miss Dianne Hoar, Mrs V Cummins and Mrs Keith Donald won the fashion competitions at the Loretto Home of Compassion Charity race meeting.
- Col Forrell’s Orchestra played for more than 200 parishioners and friends attending the South Wagga Anglican Parish Ball at the Police Boys Club.
- Fourteen-year-old Alan Honeysett broke the standing record at Mt Austin High Schools annual sports day by clearing 5 foot 2 inches in the under 15 high jump.
- At the 5th Wagga Scout Group Annual General Meeting, Mr Peter Hedley was re-elected president, with vice-presidents Messrs M Pumpa and G Garton.
- Sandy Miller is performing at the RSL Club lady’s night on Saturday.
- Gordon Braid from Wagga Motors presented Miss Wagga, Dawn Lowe with a brand-new Holden Torana car for use during her term as Miss Wagga.
- Wagga Fencers Tony Dominguez and Jim Craven are appealing for financial assistance to allow them to represent Australia next year at the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.
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
