9th July 2022 – In Wagga’s Past – 25 and 50 Years ago.

Compiled from the Daily Advertiser

by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society

25 Years Ago

• The third annual “Operation Wagga Warmth” kept a team of about 30 volunteers busy picking up and distributing truckloads of donated goods including furniture, clothes, blankets, toys, books, and mattresses to help ward off winter chills.

• Michael Crosswell, his wife, Cathy and daughters Karyn and Debbie Crosswell have opened “The Cheesecake Shop,” a franchise located at Southpoint in Morgan Street.

• Wagga City Council tourism spokesperson, Luke Grealy, said council officials would meet soon to discuss alternative avenues of funding the Sporting Hall of Fame following the rejection of an application for funding under the rural tourism development program.

• Wagga Base Hospital celebrated the 10^th anniversary of its rehabilitation unit with past and present patients and staff at Robinson House.

• A disappointing crowd of about 20 people turned out for a meeting hosted by members of the New South Wales Police Service’s operations branch at the Wagga Leagues Club.

• Greater Murray Health Service spokesperson Paul Perry scotched rumours that Gissing House, the mental health inpatient unit attached to Wagga Base Hospital, was to be closed or relocated to Albury.

• Member for Riverina, Noel Hicks, described a jump in Wagga’s unemployment to 4.8% as disappointing.

• Brigadier Peter Cosgrove and Pat Brassil are pictured in the Daily Advertiser attending a farewell at Kapooka for Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Mawson and Bette-Ann Mawson.

• Amnesty International Wagga branch held a dinner to raise the profile of refugees around the world with Daniella Ciric, from the former Yugoslavia, as guest speaker.

• Member for Wagga, Joe Schipp said that savage cuts were planned for Country Link rail services.

• The Reject Shop which currently operates 21 stores in New South Wales and 44 in Victoria is planning a new store in Wagga to open when retail space becomes available.

• A group of 12 organic farming enterprises has an organic butcher’s shop at Tolland.

• The Wagga Polocrosse Club carnival was held at Bomen reserve.

• Nathan Stanley and Terry Moeau of Shepherds Park School at the Riverina Juvenile Detention Centre are pictured in the Daily advertiser displaying for Mayor, Peter Dale a mural recently completed at the school.

50 Years Ago

• Shannon Haley won the coveted Debutante of the Year award competing against 78 debutantes who made their debuts in many Riverina centres this year.

• The Scott Shield introduced in 1937 which was awarded in rugby league competition between Wagga High and Christian Brothers High Schools has been withdrawn and replaced by the Hardy Shield which now includes Mt Austin High School.

• Wagga Apex Club celebrated its 40^th Anniversary with an Old Buffers reunion, anniversary Dinner and Convention.

• Wagga’s oldest locally born resident, Mrs Matilda Kenneally celebrated her 91^st birthday by planting a tree in Keneally Street, Kooringal.

• Wagga Jaycees held a new members’ night with Member for Wagga, Mr Wal Fife, a foundation member of the chapter, as guest speaker.

• Ald Frisby called for more “police on the streets where they can be seen” following community concerns over increasing juvenile delinquency.

• Mr Howard Francis, director, and general manager of Burn’s Philp’s Wagga Store T. Edmondson and Co Limited has been transferred as general manager of their Geelong store.

• Maples are having their 50^th Anniversary Sale which includes an 8-piece lounge setting for $270 or $2.15 a week.

• South Wagga Lions Club held its second annual changeover with outgoing president Mr K McGowan handing over to new president, Mr A D Munro.

• A large crowd including Theo Andronicus, Father Nicholas Scordilis and Loukas Scordilis attended a service of sorrow at Wagga’s Greek Orthodox Church for the world leader of the Church who died last week.

• Wagga Apex Club president, Doug Thomas is pictured in the Daily Advertiser presenting a movie projector to the Wagga Police Citizens Boys Club represented by Sgt. Ian Mortimer and Inspector H Smith.

• A youth who drove along Baylis Street at speeds up to 70 miles per hour on a busy Saturday night has been sentenced in Wagga Petty Sessions to four months gaol.

• Colin Duff received the traditional “key” from his parents Mr and Mrs Ken Duff at a party held recently to celebrate his coming of age.

• The verandah of the corner store at the intersection of Best and Forsyth Street collapsed after a car crashed into it.

• Riverina champion, Frank Skidmore, defeated former Australian amateur national titleholder, Frank Harris, in the NSW State Major Snooker Championship quarter-finals at the Wagga Commercial Club.

• Morris Hetherington scored a hole-in-one on the 127 yards second hole at the Wagga Country Club.

• Wagga’s new Clerk of Petty Sessions, Mr W Gilbert and his wife were welcomed at a special function at the RSL Club.

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