Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Forty houses in Athol Street are lighting up for Christmas for their 13th year of Christmas celebrations.
- Wollundry Rotary distributed $15,000, the proceeds of their Sunday Markets to local charities including, the Smith Family, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Anglican Careforce, Legacy and the Red Cross.
- St Michael’s Regional High School presented major awards to Carl Friedlieb (Citizenship), Andrew Gissing (Environment), Damien Pembleton (Leadership), John Shea (Debating), Tony Gill (School Dux) and Tim Egan (Di Maginnes Award for speech)
- Wagga moteliers with the full backing of Wagga police are conducting their own street patrols to fight crime in the central business district.
- Four-year-old “Buddy” a border collie owned by Wagga couple Scott and Nicole Breust made his screen debut in the movie Babe which has opened in cinemas across Australia this week.
- Wagga’s oldest resident, Mrs Henrietta Cox died peacefully in her sleep at Wagga Base Hospital, aged 103.
- The Wagga Historic Engine Club opened officially on Willans Hill.
- A daring daylight jewellery heist at the Jewellery Boutique in Baylis Street netted thieves nearly $32,000 worth of gold and diamond rings.
- Wagga charities will be able to spread the Christmas spirit a little further thanks to a $10,000 donation from the Cecil and Kathleen Toy Memorial Trust.
- Wagga Mayor, Peter Dale, is meeting with the Mayors of Dubbo and Tamworth to form an alliance to convince Government to improve economic opportunities in the bush.
- Wagga Technology High School principal, Joe Allan was delighted with an announcement approving $1.75 million for a new gymnasium at the school.
- Daily Advertiser editor, Michael McCormack announced that Gary Bell who joined the paper as a general news reporter in 1987 has been appointed as deputy editor.
- Curator at the Wagga City Art Gallery, Steven Alderton has left Wagga to become the youngest director of an art gallery in Australia at Bundaberg in Queensland.
- It was tough to find a space on the grass at the annual carols by candlelight in the Victory Memorial gardens.
50 Years Ago
- An estimated 1,500 people joined in the spirit of Christmas at the annual carols by candlelight in the Victory Memorial gardens.
- Hunter Brothers managing director, Graham Irons, said that jewellery and gift departments would close in the New Year, due to a lack of space, ending a 104-year tradition.
- Three close friends who had worked together in Wagga died when their car crashed and burst into flames on the Sturt Highway.
- Wagga City Council has increased its general rate from 3.08 cents in the dollar to 3.166 cents in the dollar, rejecting the draft rate of 3.41 cents in the dollar.
- The twelve Wagga City Aldermen are now entitled to an optional maximum yearly allowance of $500.
- Four of the city’s major licensed clubs held a function at the RSL Club to honour former mayor Ald R J Harris.
- More than twenty men escaped injury when a blast furnace exploded at Hanks and Lindsay’s iron foundry.
- Hore and Davies is advertising a two bedroom, two sleepout, brick home near Convent and High School for $11,500.
- Siebel’s Brothers builders have completed a large new administration building in Dobney Avenue.
- Wagga City Council Gas Centre advertised a $2 and up to $10 reward for information leading to the discovery of gas leakages in streets and footpaths.
- Mr J C Jackson presented the Daily Advertiser perpetual trophy for the first men’s singles in the Wagga Leagues Club indoor bowls competition to Mr Max White.
- Houses around Wagga are being decorated with Christmas lights and decorations.
- Edmondsons are selling Bonaire Mark 9 coolers for just $174.
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
