16th October 2021 – In Wagga’s Past – 25 and 50 Years ago.

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Compiled from the Daily Advertiser

by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society

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25 Years Ago

• More than 14,000 people turned out for the spectacular display by the Royal Australian Airforce to celebrate its 75^th Anniversary.

• Director of Schools for the Wagga Diocese, Peter O’Brien responded to calls for a wage increase for Catholic education teachers saying, “We can’t afford it and we won’t pay it.”

• Council’s Director of Engineering and Technical Services, Gary Wells, said that traffic would be redirected via Best and Tarcutta Street reducing Baylis Street traffic from 14,000 to 7,000 per day after the Gobba bridge opens next year.

• CSU Vice-Chancellor, Cliff Blake was granted Freedom of the City by Wagga Mayor, Peter Dale.

• Wagga police patrol commander, Neville Tarleton, hosted a special ceremony attended by the Mayor, Peter Dale to recognise outstanding acts and service including long service by local police.

• A large gathering attended the Wagga High School Class of 71 reunion at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

• Gerard Hyland, a butcher for 33 years, and one of the last remaining small neighbourhood butchers in Wagga has decided to close his shop in Kincaid Street.

• Sonya Bradley won gold at the NSW All Schools Moove Games Track and Field Championships at Homebush.

• The Rivcoll Reddies Rugby Union Club held their presentation dinner at Charles Sturt University.

• Graduates of the Wagga Business Enterprise Centres “New Enterprise Incentive Scheme” were congratulated by Wagga Mayor, Peter Dale.

• Michelle Raufers, partnered by Dion Argus was named the 1996 Debutante of the year at a ball organised by Miss Wagga entrant, Melissa Briggs.

• New photo finish equipment able to define a margin of 1/200^th of a second with a result determined within seconds is being installed by the Murrumbidgee Turf Club in time for this year’s Caufield Cup Day meeting.

• The Caloola Spring Fair was opened by Federal Member for Riverina, Noel Hicks.

• Budding Wagga cyclist, Ashley Humbert, 14, won the tour of Bright road race.

• The Ray white Wagga Wagga Office has recorded its biggest ever sales month.

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50 Years Ago

• Local member, Wal Fife, officially opened Wagga’s newest Primary School at Tolland.

• Improvements and extensions to the Wagga City Golf Club were officially opened by Wagga’s Mayor, Ald M H Gissing at a dinner in the clubhouse.

• The Wagga Services Recreation Centre for service personnel on leave in Wagga has opened on the corner of Forsyth and Peter Streets.

• Turvey Park Rugby League president, Jack Daley presented the President’s Trophy to David Wheeler at the club’s trophy presentation cabaret held at the Leagues Club.

• “Talofa” the Harefield property of Mr and Mrs R Vickery was again the scene of a garden fete to raise funds for the YWCA hostel.

• Mrs E M Geoghegan and Mr L W Treloar have announced their retirement this year from Wagga High School after 45 years between them educating district children.

• Wagga Country Club President, Lionel Love congratulated Jim Stenmark after he had once again won the Club Championship.

• South Wagga Lions Club members are conducting a doorknock to support their sponsorship of a glaucoma clinic at Wagga Base Hospital.

• Nordlingen, Wagga’s sister city in Germany has sent scores of steins and small dolls for Wagga’s Oktoberfest this week at the Wagga Showground.

• Wagga Scouts spent a busy weekend taking part in the International Jamboree of the Air.

• Mrs Shoemark of Simkin Crescent won first prize and Miss M Henseleit of Docker Street won second prize in Huthwaites Betty Sydney Cake Cooking Competition.

• Sister M Rosarie, principal of Trinity Senior High School was critical of an over dependence on university academic requirements.

• The Commonwealth Public Service is offering free training courses for secretaries at the Wagga Technical College.

• Mr and Mrs Bill Marsh and Mr and Mrs Bede Griffith were pictured in the Daily Advertiser attending the Postal Institute Ball.

• Huthwaites are selling Dairy Farmers Ice Cream in half gallon containers for 68 cents, Golden Circle pineapple pieces, 30 oz tins for 30 cents and Kraft Cheddar Cheese, 16 oz for 40 cents.

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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