Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Hundreds applauded enthusiastically as Michelle Robertson was crowned Miss Wagga. Tamara Glover, the most prolific fundraiser in the history of the quest was crowned Miss Community Princess.
- Thousands of people turned out for the Wagga Air Show which featured a restored Lockheed Super Constellation known as “Connie” along with 200 aircraft and display flights.
- The Sturt Mall has been sold by Marjen Pty Ltd to Austex Investments Pty Ltd who is considering a multi-million redevelopment of the centre.
- The Wollundry Rotary Sunday Market which has been an institution in Wagga for 19 years has reached the million-dollar mark in funds raised for the community.
- A decision by the St Vincent de Paul Society to sell the Christian Formation Centre at San Isidore has disappointed several West Wagga Catholic parishioners.
- David Gardiner replaced Bill Ellis as president of the Wagga Returned Services Club.
- Talented musicians, Jeff Donovan and Roger Murphy entertained the audience at the Voices Festival, Strings and Woodwind luncheon held at the Pavilion Motor Inn.
- The CWA Wagga Evening Branch celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Garden Court Restaurant.
- Group Nine delegates gave unanimous approval to the concept of a Maurie Kelly Cup beginning next season.
- WIRES reptile coordinator, Cathy Car said that they were receiving about six calls a day about active brown snakes in Wagga’s suburbs.
- Wagga’s Dymocks Bookseller franchise owned by Sherry and Rod Bartlett won the New South Wales Customer Service Award ahead of 60 other franchises.
- Knights Meats owner, Michael Knight was presented with a prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship for his long involvement with Wollundry Rotary.
- More than 80 stallholders took part in the 10th annual Gala Christmas Fair at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club, a fundraiser for the Wagga branch of the Children’s Medical Research Institute.
- Ross Geppert, Ross Vidler, Russell Meyers, and Rob Cartwright were among local participants in the Camp Quality Caper in which four cars from Temora and Wagga raised more than $37,000 for children with cancer.
- Wagga Volleyball Association recognised its longest-serving teams, Evergreens and Wee Willies Demons at their 20th-anniversary celebrations.
- Peter Davies Real Estate received ten awards at the NSW “The Professionals” awards night in Sydney.
50 Years Ago
- More than 600 competitors competed in the first ever City to Lake “Run for Your Life” starting in the city and running down Baylis Street to finish at Lake Albert.
- McCoullough Developments announced a major new land release at Ashmont with 70 blocks available priced between $2295 and $2550 and deposits from $230.
- Leagues Club president Arthur Dixon presented Magpies five-eighth, John Mavroudis with the club’s best and fairest trophy at its end-of-season function.
- Kevin Esler, the ALP candidate for Farrer officially opened his campaign at a public meeting held at the Wesley Methodist Hall in Johnston Street.
- Turvey Park Australian Rules Club has signed Brian McKenzie who played 91 games with Collingwood as its coach for the next two seasons.
- The first Riverina Annual Pre-Kindergarten Conference was held at the Riverina College of Advanced Education.
- Christine Lindner is pictured in the Daily Advertiser at the annual spring flower show held at the Methodist Hall in Wooden Street.
- The newly completed science-library complex at Mount Erin High School, known as the Centenary Wing, was officially opened by the Bishop of Wagga Dr F P Carroll.
- G.J. Fitzpatrick in Gurwood Street is offering a 6.5% interest rate on savings with the Greater Newcastle Permanent Building Society.
- Wanderers Sub-Junior Rugby League presented cheques for various amounts to the Home of Compassion represented by Max Mullins, St Vincent de Paul Society, represented by Mal Brentnall and the Haven represented by John Mueller.
- Bruce Tutty came from behind to defeat defending title holder, Colin Tutty by seven points in the Wagga Pistol Club championship.
- Wagga Quota Club president, Mrs N Brennan, is pictured in the Daily Advertiser preparing items for a street stall to be held on the corner of Johnston and Fitzmaurice Streets.
- The Labor Party spokesman for Fuel and Power, Mr Frank Stewart MHR visited Wagga to discuss Labor policy with Wagga City Council and to support the Labor candidate for Farrer, Mr Kevin Esler.
- St Andrew’s Hall was filled to capacity for the 1972 “Gown of Gowns” parade with sixty women entering nine different sections of the parade.
- Bob Conolly won the “Medal of Medal” event finalised this week at the Wagga Country Golf Club.
- Mr Azzalia Orlando Romano the colourful restaurant proprietor and racehorse owner died in Sydney’s St. Vincent’s Hospital aged 79.
- The RSL Club presented the Digger Revell Show for members entertainment.
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
