9th October 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

  • During a visit to Wagga NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Harrison announced grants of $50,000 to Riverina Rugby Union and $30,000 to the Wagga Gun Club.
  • Sixteen young rabbits at Pulletop, were released by NSW Agriculture Minister, Richard Avery, in the world’s first official release of the rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD).
  • The music library at community radio station 2AAA-PM has been dedicated to the memory of former station member and chairman, the late Mario Baron who died in February this year.
  • Reunions held last weekend in Wagga included the Howe and Mullins families as well as the Mt Austin Hight School class of 1976.
  • Central Wagga Apex held their hole in one competition at Bolton Park.
  • Wagga teenagers Clare Rafter and Stacy Hoare both captured titles at the Riverina Open tennis championships.
  • RAAF Base Wagga is celebrating the RAAF 75th Anniversary with an open day including flying displays by F-111, FA-18 and P3C Orion aircraft as well as the Roulettes formation flying team.
  • Irvine Gregg, chairman of the Riverina No Republic Committee said that an invitation to address members had been extended to former chairman of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy, Tony Abbott.
  • Wagga Rotary has joined Quota International to present the fourth annual art competition and craft fair under the patronage of the Mayor of Wagga, Peter Dale.
  • John Brayne won the City of Wagga Open Tournament at the Wagga Country Club.
  • To celebrate its 60th Anniversary and recent refurbishments the unnamed footbridge at Wagga Railway Station has been named, “Mothers Bridge” in a ceremony conducted by Wagga Mayor, Peter Dale.
  • The CWA Riverina group held its 70th Annual Conference at Collingullie.
  • Popular Wagga Stock and Station Agent and bookmaker, John Williamson, aged 56, died following a battle with cancer.
  • The Wagga Business and Development Centre in Coleman Street was officially opened by Member for the Riverina, Noel Hicks.
  • Murrumbidgee Turf Club President, Jim Bouffler presented life membership to Don Buswell at the MTC’s annual meeting.
  • The Oakes Jewellers in the Sturt Mall are having a “Cancelled Lay-By Sale”.
  • People with disabilities in Wagga were invited to have their say about the Home and Community Care (HACC) program in a focus group run by People with Disabilities NSW (PwD).

50 Years Ago

  • Kendell Airlines made its inaugural flight to Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne with a Piper Navajo aircraft occupied by six people.
  • Mr Keith Inglis has retired after 12 years as the Wagga Clerk of Petty Sessions and 44 years’ service with the Justice Department.
  •  Motor mechanic, Reg Tennant, 65, retired after 40 years beginning in 1927 with the Commercial Garage in the “days of the Model T”.
  • Hundreds of windows were smashed with hail stones as big as golf balls causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage in Wagga’s worst battering in living memory.
  • Nine employees of Dunlop’s Garments Division with more than 25 years’ service flew to Sydney on an all-expenses paid overnight trip to Sydney.
  • Wagga Accountants announced a 20% increase in fees with the new minimum fee for a Form A taxation return rising by $2 to $10.
  • Huthwaites are advertising Christmas lay-bys for a Cyclops tricycle for $27.60 or Cyclops stroller for $11.80.
  • More than 250 cadets from Riverina secondary schools marched through Wagga Streets as part of the Riverina Gymkhana, reviewed by Officer Commanding Kapooka, Col. E J Mulholland.
  • Miss Irene Turbitt won the City of Wagga Aria at the Civic Theatre.
  • Lindsay Beer, a lecturer in beef cattle management at Wagga Agricultural College has been elected president of the Riverina branch of the Agricultural Technologists of Australia.
  • The Family Life Movement of Australia is conducting a program of lectures, discussions, and films on sex education in Wagga.
  • John Macarthur Hotel Team 2 won the Business Houses Football Carnival conducted by Wagga Apex Club.
  • More than 120 relatives and friends helped Peter Hartley celebrate his 21st birthday at the East Wagga Football Club Hall.
  • Edmondson’s require a junior female sales assistant aged 15-16 years who must be clean, of neat appearance and educated to School Certificate standard.  

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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