30th January 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

  • One of the city’s outstanding citizens and a tireless charity worker, Mario Baron has died.
  • The Wagga Racing Supporters Club led by Greg Adams is launching a stinging campaign against Wagga City Council and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry seeking a half day holiday for the Wagga Gold Cup.
  • More Government jobs in Wagga are to go with an announcement by NSW Agriculture that its administrative operations are to be rationalised.
  • Two major prize winners of the Kurrajong-Waratah Art Union, Marie Malone of Tumut and Ray Daly of Uranquinty collected their Toyota cars from Allen Thomas of Thomas Bros and promoter, Bernie Benson.
  • Council building applications declined last year although the value increased with construction of dwellings and units the main areas to suffer.
  • A study by the Smith Family presented to a Federal parliamentary standing committee has found Wagga to be the truancy capital of New South Wales with students in the city away from school an average of 33.8 days every year.
  • Witty Irish comedian, Jimeoin is performing this week at the Civic Theatre,
  • Charles Sturt academic, David Chisholm warned that the pay dispute between the National Tertiary Union and the Federal Government is set to worsen.
  • A 16-year-old Wagga girl at the Ampol Road Pantry was allegedly dragged across the road and assaulted by two women who were known to her.
  • Senior Constable, Andrew Webber is pictured in the Daily Advertiser with dozens of push bikes either stolen or lost and handed in the Wagga Police Station.
  • Members of popular Wagga bands Stonehouse and Funky Hillbillys have been devastated by the theft of more than $6000 worth of musical equipment from their rehearsal garage.
  • Descendants held a special ceremony at the recently restored grave of early settlers, Morgan and Ann Power at the Wagga Monumental Cemetery.  

50 Years Ago

  • Richard Burgman, from Christian Brothers High School won the South Wagga Apex essay competition the title, “Wagga should be chosen for selective decentralisation because….”
  • Former Mayor, Ald R J Harris said that the cost of almost $4,000 had precluded him from accepting an invitation from the Minister for Decentralisation and Development to join a NSW Trade Mission to Europe in May.
  • Wagga City Council has again told the Wagga Country Club that it will not change its mind about construction of a scenic drive around Lake Albert across part of the club’s land.
  • The Department of Main Roads has refused a Wagga City Council request for construction of an over or under pass at the Edward Street level crossing.
  • The NSW Country Water Polo Championships were won by the Wagga team, including captain-coach, Arthur Lindner and Ian Bell who scored the winning goal.
  • Sydney and Melbourne employees of the Overseas Telecommunications Commission visited Wagga for the 24th annual cricket match between the two branches.
  • Member for Wagga and Minister for Mines, Wal Fife opened the 13th anniversary meeting of the Wagga Alcoholics Anonymous attended by 300 people from NSW, Victoria, and South Australia at the Civic Theatre.
  • Roy and Kerri Chaplin of Riverina Ballroom Dancing Studios are advertising a twelve week “Learn to Dance” course at a cost of only $3.50, payable over three weeks.
  • Wagga City Bowling Club won the Wagga District Bowling Association No. 2 Pennant for the tenth successive year.
  • The Riverina College of Advanced Education will be relocated to the Agricultural College to assume a more effective education role.
  • Abattoir manager Mr L L Bird said that charges would increase to cover the recent six per cent wage rise granted to employees.
  • The Wagga group of the Australian Association for Better Hearing is holding lip-reading classes at Wagga Public School on Thursday nights.
  • Wagga sprint champion, Joanne Ness, broke a record in the under 10, 100 metres event at the NSW country athletic championships in Sydney.  
  • Seven Wagga people had a final celebration at the Town House Motel before leaving on a round-world cruise organised by Hore and Davies Travel Service and the Women’s Weekly.

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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