3rd July 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

  • Wagga Police Station was described as a disgrace following a tour through the building by Police Association president, Tony Day, senior social worker at Wagga Base Hospital, Robyn Kellcher, Community Consultative Committee member, Tom Hillis and Riverina Australian Rules Club manager, Barry Harris.
  • Charles Sturt University celebrated 20 years of winemaking and the opening of the Ron Potter Centre for Grape and Wine Research in 1977.
  • Gum trees are being removed from Fitzmaurice Street to be replaced by Claret Ashes as part of a $160,000 beautification plan.
  • Gissing’s and Lindsay Wood’s Pharmacies have combined and will trade as Gissing’s Pharmacy on top of the hill in Fitzmaurice Street.
  • A scheme which pays allowances to homeless teenagers has come under fire from Wagga police patrol commander, Neville Tarleton.
  • To mark the 50th anniversary of Wagga being proclaimed a city, Officer Commanding RAAF Base Wagga, Group Captain David Judge presented Mayor Peter Dale with a framed copy of the bases Freedom of the City Certificate.
  • Subject to fine weather, project manager, Brian Billing, expects the Gobba Bridge to open by Christmas.
  • Incoming President, Irvine Greg received the South Wagga Rotary Club charter from outgoing president Tom Kennaway.
  • Uranquinty-Kapooka AFL players met at the Uranquinty Hotel for a decade dinner to celebrate their 10th Anniversary.
  • Long-time pharmacist George Bruce retired from Coolamon Pharmacy after 58 years in the profession.
  • Bob Ballantyne has retired as head of the School of Science and Technology at Charles Sturt University.
  • MAC’s Liquor at Woolworths is selling Victoria Bitter stubbies, 24 for $24.95, Barossa Brandy, 700ml for $16.95 and Coolibah, 4 litre wine casks for $8.95.

50 Years Ago

  • Premiair Aviation managed by Don Kendell, is planning a five day-a-week air service between Wagga and Melbourne to replace the tri-weekly service operated by Airlines of NSW.
  • ABC Sporting Commentator, Norman May, was guest speaker at the Kooringal Rotary Changeover dinner and also found time to visit his second cousin, Tilly Oliver at the 2WG Old Peoples Home.
  • The “tip and cover” method of garbage disposal has been adopted for Wagga Tip which is expected to eliminate the present smoke hazard and increase garbage service charges.
  • Member for Wagga, Mr W Fife announced plans for construction of the new Sturt Public School.
  • PMG representatives are visiting local schools to promote career opportunities with Wagga Postmaster, Ken McLeod pictured in the Daily Advertiser with students from Trinity and Christian Brothers Schools.
  • The Wagga Association of Civilian Widows celebrated their 13th birthday with special guests including Mr and Mrs Wal Fife, Mrs Morris Gissing and Mr and Mrs R J Harris.
  • Deeps, Wagga Sale includes double bed flannelette sheets for $4.99 a pair, seersucker tablecloths for 99 cents and large bath towels for 89 cents.
  • Members of South Wagga Apex, John Huthwaite, Rodney Parsons, and Michael Fitzpatrick presented proceeds of the club’s recent bikeathon to the Boy Scouts, the 2WG-Haven nursing home, and the Home of Compassion.
  • Sister M Ignatius attending the annual meeting of the Calvary Hospital Women’s Auxiliary said that apart from building costs almost all the hospitals capital expenditure items in the last year had been provided by the Auxiliary.
  • District Governor, John Clough, handed the Kooringal Rotary clubs charter to incoming president Wal Breust, watched by immediate past president Mr Ewan McArthur at the Clubs annual changeover dinner.
  • Concerns with construction of the Wagga City Crematorium Chapel, due to open soon, prompted an inspection of the site by Wagga City Council aldermen and staff.
  • Miss Rhonda Bennett was chosen at the Kangaroos versus Turvey Park match as this week’s Miss Rugby League.
  • Elva Elsley, Denie Groot, Jean Wright and Marie Spinks will make up the Wagga women’s squash team to play Temora next week.
  • Hillis Ford Used Cars have for sale a 1963 Valiant S-VI sedan for $990 and a 1968 Hillman Safari Wagon for $1690.
  • Edmondsons After Stocktaking Clearance includes children’s parkas for $4.50, Baxter men’s shoes $8.99 and men’s winter gowns $6.99.

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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