27th February 2021 – In Wagga’s Past – 25 and 50 Years ago.


Compiled from the Daily Advertiser

by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society



25 Years Ago

  • In a shock move, Edwin Brooks has resigned as a director of the Riverina Health Service and a director of the Wagga Base Hospital Advisory Board citing problems within the health department.
  • Council Director of Corporate Services, Tony Elphick expressed concern that Council could end the financial year $713,482 over budget.
  • Former executive of the CSU properties division, John Biddle was honoured with the naming of a sports centre after him.
  • It was the end of an era at the Daily Advertiser when chief sub-editor, Brian Junck, retired after witnessing and experiencing massive changes in newspaper technology and reporting over his 38 years.
  • Senior lecturer in English at Charles Sturt University-Riverina, David Gilbey, has accepted a visiting professorship in English at a private Japanese women’s college.
  • Kelly Pearson who works at the Great Australian Icecreamery has been named as winner of a Wagga Rotary Club Young Achiever Award.
  • South Wagga Rotary Club Antique Fair is being held at the Kyeamba Smith Hall.
  • Calvary Hospital board chairman, Wal Fife announced the appointment of new members to the management committee of the South West Mammography Screening and Assessment Service at the hospital.
  • Council is spending $1 million to enlarge the Gregadoo tip, creating a new five-metre-deep garbage cell with an anticipated life span of three years.
  • Professor Cliff Blake is celebrating 25 years as the chief executive officer of the Charles Sturt University and its predecessor institutions.
  • Council Director of business services, Ray Beddoe, said that Council’s lucrative natural gas distribution business could be shielded from competition for up to four years but that the protection will not last for ever.
  • The Riverina Academy of Sport announced that track and field will be added as the fifth sport to its scholarship program.

50 Years Ago

  • Wagga’s new traffic lights at the intersection of Docker and Edward Streets are now operating.
  • President of Wagga Legacy, Mr Henry Henderson presented silver trays to three members, Mr George Yeomans, Mr Jack Johnston and Mr Keith Crisp who between them have served a total of 100 years with Legacy.
  • Wagga Agricultural Research Institute Director, Dr Albert Pugsley said that an exciting new wheat variety being bred at the Institute could have a major impact on the Australian wheat industry.
  • Miss Marlene Guppy, the eighth Miss Wagga to go abroad leaves for South Africa this week on a 26-day tour.
  • Miss Helen Mynott, from McDonough’s Pharmacy is one of ten finalists in a state-wide competition for pharmacy assistants being conducted by The Pharmacy Guild of NSW.
  • Edmondson’s Autumn Carnival includes folding card tables for $5.50, cane leaf rakes for 20 cents, garden barrows for $5.50 and electric blankets for $5.95.
  • School captains at Mount Austin Primary School, Scott Willis and Jeanette Day were congratulated by headmaster, Mr Doug Phipps and Kooringal Infant School Headmistress, Mrs M Schofield.
  • Frances Taylor of Trinity College Wagga was congratulated by School principal, Sister Rosarie, on her being awarded a speech and drama medal by the Trinity College London.
  • Wagga Scouts District Commissioner, Mr Ian Bell said that a lack of leaders and the apathy of some parents may lead to the closure of the Ashmont Boy Scouts Group.
  • South Wagga Rotary donated $500 to the Wagga Community Aid Committee to supplement funds for social work in the community.
  • 270 students have enrolled in first year at the Wagga Teachers College about 80 more than last year.
  • The Wagga Base Hospital Fete organised by South Wagga Rotary is raising funds to assist purchase of a coronary care unit for the hospital.
  • Wagga has been included in a new Ansett-Pioneer daily coach service to Melbourne.
  • Fulham Gardens is selling two large capsicums for 14 cents, onions or turnips, 2 lb for 15 cents and yellow pumpkin for 4 cents a lb.

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 visit our website at https://www.wwdhs.org.au/about-us/members

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