Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Wagga City Council has increased rates for property, sewerage and rubbish by 3.5%, the maximum allowable.
- Deputy Town Clerk, Tony Elphick, as part of the Council’s estimates meeting pointed out the need to stick with adopted budget provisions to avoid an “extremely detrimental” effect on its operations.
- Chairman of the Wagga Tidy Towns Committee, Jack Mullins announced that Wagga had won three State Awards making it the most successful centre in the competition.
- Wagga Police patrol commander, Kevin Wales said that crime figures for November were the lowest for the year.
- Long serving rugby league official, Des French was elected president of Wagga Rugby League after outgoing president Geoff McGilvray did not seek a further term.
- Manager of Grace Bros, Glen Bruce was “furious” and manager of K-Mart, Stephen Atkinson was “extremely disappointed” that thousands of Grace Bros and Kmart Christmas catalogues had been found dumped in garbage bins.
- A spokesman for the Road and Traffic Authority said Wagga motorists will have to put up with the bumpy ride over the Hampden Bridge until the new Travers Street bridge is completed late next year.
- Booranga, the Riverina Writers Centre at Charles Sturt University has been officially opened by Minister for Arts, Peter Collins.
- Community Health representative, Jane Massa said the campaign against passive smoking was working well with ten smoke free restaurants in Wagga compared to none three years ago.
- About 100 guests attended a Christmas function hosted by Wagga Commercial Club President, Ron Hall.
- Six major building companies have submitted tenders for the final stage of the Gobba Bridge.
- Chairman of the Riverina region committee of the National Trust, George Benedyka said he thought council was making a mistake in placing a demolition order on a heritage house in Fox Street.
- The Riverina Plaza Shopping centre was passed in by Auctioneer, Milton Breust with no bids accepted from about 30 people attending although a sale is expected to follow soon.
50 Years Ago
- Ald Morris Gissing was first to be elected in the Wagga City Council elections followed by newcomer Mr Keith Condon and Ald R J Harris.
- Only two newcomers were ultimately elected with Mrs Helen Frisby also elected later in the count.
- Town Clerk, Mr W R Ellis said only 6099 people of the 15,802 enrolled had cast votes in the first non-compulsory council elections since 1947.
- Wives of South Wagga Apexians held a Christmas dinner and fashion parade at the Kooringal Hotel-Motel. Models included Lorette Huthwaite, Georgie Leigh-Cooper, Marie Colley and Marion Bittar.
- 170 students received their diplomas from Teachers College Principal, Mr M Hale at a graduation ceremony held in Hoyts Theatre.
- A 150-strong choir representative of 12 schools is rehearsing for Wagga’s Carols by Candlelight Festival.
- Mr L G Reberger has been elected as president and Mrs C J Merrett as secretary-treasurer of the Wagga Horticultural Society.
- Caroline Graetz, Helen McKinnon and Linda Nolan all won high distinctions in their passes from Wagga Commercial College.
- The Wagga branch of the spastic Council is conducting street stalls outside Nesbitts in Baylis Street and The Diamond House, J J Speirs in Gurwood Street.
- Regional Controller of Civil Defence, Mr G H Brown said that a Murrumbidgee Regional Office has now been established in Wagga.
- Eighty relatives and friends attended a party at his parents’ Berry Street home to celebrate the 21st birthday of Keirian Williams.
