28th August 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 City Council backed a move to introduce a top speed limit of 50 kilometres an hour in residential streets.
  • Wagga hoteliers pushed for the introduction of poker machines into hotels during a meeting with Opposition spokesman for Racing and Gaming, Richard Bull.
  • Despite a strong push from Mayor, Peter Dale and several councillors, Wagga City Council has scrapped street patrols targeted at ridding the central business district of hooligans.
  • A large rowdy crowd attended a meeting arranged by Wagga City Council to discuss plans to change traffic conditions around the Gobba Bridge deviation.
  • Irish Ambassador to Australia was welcomed at a Civic Reception hosted by Wagga’s Mayor, Peter Dale.
  • Merv Hughes of Wagga is pictured in the Daily Advertiser with his bantam rooster, “Jack” at the 88th annual Ganmain Show.
  • Manager of the Caloola Court Aged Care Hostel, Isabel Baker, is moving to a new job after seven years at Caloola.
  • Wagga City Council plans to prosecute Wagga’s go kart club over alleged breaches of conditions attached to approval to build and operate a racing track.
  • Flag Officer of Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Peter Briggs visited CSU’s Wagga Campus to develop in-house health training with CSU diploma and degree distance education courses.
  • General Manager, Brian Andrews is preparing a report on the future of the Council owned Northside Shopping Centre and adjacent former supermarket now holding the city library and art gallery.
  • Wagga’s Regional Veterinary Laboratory has closed despite assurances from State Agriculture Minister, Richard Amery earlier this year that it would remain open until next February.
  • Cargill Foods general manager Michael Tighe announced the re-introduction of a five-day week for its abattoir staff.
  • Wagga City Council will spend $1.6 million rehabilitating a 5.3-kilometre section of the Tumbarumba Road between the Hume Highway and Ladysmith.
  • Historic Dandaloo homestead on Lakeside Drive is to be demolished to make way for new development.
  • A report from Wagga City Council Director of Community Services, John Craig recommended that mobile food vans be banned from Wagga’s central business district.

50 Years Ago

  • John Brasier was re-elected president of the Wagga Cricket Association with Brian Lawrence continuing as secretary and Bill Inglis as treasurer.
  • Leslie Mouat, a Wagga Technical College student has won the NSW Apprentice of the Year award for carpentry and joinery.
  • Former Olympian Marlene (Matthews) Willard is one of many big-name athletic coaches attending a coaching clinic for around 400 young Riverina athletes at Staunton Park in Spring Street.
  • Peter Hastie, chairman of the Riverina College of Advanced Education interim council announced the appointment of Dr A L Leman as the College’s first Director of External Studies.
  • Gumly Boy’s Home Auxiliary gave a surprize 80th birthday party for a foundation member of the auxiliary, Mrs G Payne.
  • American exchange student, Carol Springberg is pictured in the Daily Advertiser with South Wagga Rotary Club president, Stan Wallis and his daughter, Kay.
  • Huthwaites presented the 1971 Gown of the Year at the Wagga Leagues Club.
  • Teams from throughout NSW, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand competed in junior rugby League matches held at Weissel Oval.
  • Tom White and Kevin Rath combined well to win the Wagga Darts Association 1971 Doubles Championship.
  • Gissing’s Photo Department is sponsoring a slide and photo competition in the lead up to this year’s Wagga Show.
  • Wagga’s first Trade Fair and Field Day organised by the Master Builders Association is being held this week.
  • Leagues Club president, Arthur Dixon announced a club net profit of $62,000 despite heavy increases in overheads and donations totalling $31,000.
  • Seven-year-old Gary Hamblin is pictured in the Daily Advertiser catching tadpoles in Wollundry Lagoon.
  • Huthwaites are featuring Careless Wool trousers by Whitmont for Father’s Day at $19.95.

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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