Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Wagga’s weather this year will be remembered for the record number of 91 frosts, the variability of rainfall, and the heat of February according to John Darnley, officer in charge of the Bureau of Meteorology at Forest Hill.
- The first New Year’s Eve baby born in Wagga was Elliott Rumbachs, the first child of Rod and Kylie Rumbachs, who was born at 7.07am at Calvary Hospital.
- In complete contrast to last year, police were delighted with the behaviour of revelers celebrating New Year’s Eve.
- Wagga had 922 births compared to 351 deaths in 1996 compared to 894 births and 319 deaths a decade earlier with the 1996 census now showing Wagga’s population has reached 55,519.
- Highway Patrol supervisor, Sergeant Bill Harvey, expressed dissatisfaction with the area’s road statistics over the last 12 months with 14 people killed on Wagga’s roads compared to 12 in 1996 and 8 in 1995.
- Taffy Davies, former editor of the Daily Advertiser, died on New Year’s Eve after being diagnosed two months earlier with inoperable cancer.
- Businessman, Peter Walsh, is investigating the provision of cheap and affordable accommodation in Baylis Street for backpackers traveling through or working in Wagga.
- Several couples from Foley’s Dance Studios, pictured in the Daily Advertiser, were successful in the Australian Dancesport Championships held in Melbourne.
- Emma Wilcox, Mackenna Powell, Tanya Reid, Natasha Bagley, and Melissa Hann are pictured in the Daily Advertiser, enjoying the New Years’ Eve celebrations at the Bridge Tavern.
- Wagga Wagga Winery is offering Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week with grilled steak or marinated chicken with homemade salads and desserts for $10.
- Kay and Tim Smith together with Kay’s parents Sue and Jack England from Wellington are pictured in the Daily Advertiser attending the mixed bowls day at the RAFC Bowling Club.
- A Psychic Expo with clairvoyant readings, crystal exhibits, and Psychic stars from far and wide is being held at The Carriage House Motor Inn.
- The inaugural Wagga Festival of the Country intended to appeal to holidaymakers not wanting to go to the coast was held in Wagga.
50 Years Ago
- More than 6,000 people saw Vicki McKay crowned as Miss Wagga 1973 and Lyn Hackett announced as Charity Queen at a carnival held in the Civic Theatre Gardens.
- Police radar has resulted in 100 Riverina motorists being booked for speeding in the last three days.
- Wagga recorded its second driest December with only 11 points of rain recorded.
- Wagga home-site developers are active with at least four large sub-divisions in Kooringal expected to provide as many as 234 home building blocks.
- 163 young apprentices ranging in age from 15 to 17 have begun two-and-a-half-year courses in mechanical or electrical trades at the Forest Hill RAAF Base.
- Prominent young Wagga sportsman, Greg Brentnall has been selected for the NSW Cricket Association country schoolboys coaching class at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- Joan Wright is the winner of the Wagga Open Women’s Squash Championship for the fourth time with runner-up in the event, Pat Roach.
- Wagga police have begun a blitz on spotlight shooters who are endangering human life and valuable stock by operating without property owners’ consent.
- Belinda Paul, Oddjorn Ludvigsen, Vicki Howarth, Anthony McMillen, and Lindy Walker have all qualified for the State age swimming championships in Sydney.
- Wagga shooter, Barney Rooke, won the State Skeet Championship at Griffith.
- Two thirteen-year-old boys have been charged with stealing collection money from St. Michael’s Cathedral.
- Volunteer fireman, Chris Gallagher, is pictured in the Daily Advertiser extinguishing a fire in Morrow Street caused by a self-propelled lawn mower that had burst into flames.
- Edmondson’s is advertising a free beach umbrella with any purchase of a Wilkins Servis twin tub or wringer washer priced from just $1.37 weekly.
- Wagga’s Commerce Permanent Building Society is offering 6.5% interest paid twice yearly on its Savings accounts.
- The John Macarthur Hotel hosted Muso’s New Year Recovery featuring all of Wagga’s top groups from 5pm on New Year’s Day.
- Garry Williams and Steven Davey finished seventh out of a field of 42 in the National N S 14 sailing boat title on the Hume Weir at Albury.
- Wagga had a comfortable win over the touring Goulburn side in a 40 overs a side cricket match at Robertson Oval.
- Discount Meats in the Australian Arcade are selling 10lb thick sausages for $2.80, 10lb mince steak for $3.20 and sides of beef for 36 cents per lb.
- Edmondson’s is selling Ardmona tinned apricots, pears, or peaches for 18 cents per 15 oz can, Fountain Tomato Sauce, 20 oz for 39 cents, and Devondale half-gallon ice cream for 55 cents.
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
