Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Wagga City Library has extended its opening hours closing at 7 pm on weeknights and at 5 pm on Saturdays.
- A covert police operation tagged “Clean-Up” to crack down on street assaults and consumption of alcohol in Wagga’s central business district proved highly successful.
- As part of Disability Awareness Week, last week Wagga City Library was named as winner of the award for Outstanding Service for People with Disabilities in 1997.
- Ladysmith Red Cross donated “Trauma Teddies” knitted by volunteers to Wagga Base Hospital children’s ward to be used in comforting children in times of distress.
- The National Australia Bank Building in Fitzmaurice Street was sold for $520,000 with local listing agent Wes Russell from LJ Hooker describing it as a “good price for the building”.
- Leading economist, Dr Don Stammer was in Wagga to attend a business luncheon at the Commercial Club with the Wagga branch of the Certified Practicing accountants.
- Council’s Director of Corporate Services, Tony Elphick said that Council is working hard to make sure it does not catch the dreaded “millennium bug” which has the potential to shut down computer systems on January 1, 2000.
- The Turvey Tavern “Vegas Room” is advertising free tea, coffee, and biscuits, while you play.
- Local Wagga vocal group, Paterson’s Curse members, Chrissy Giddings, Karen Roben, June Price, and Barb Landrigan launched their first compact disc.
- Wagga Venturer Scout, David O’Brien was presented with a Queen Scout badge.
- Peter McInerney and Tony Hackett both of whom have worked with Wagga City Council for 25 years were recognised with special awards.
- Brian Catell, Amy Baker, Joanne Elliott, and David Cunneen are pictured in the Daily Advertiser attending the combined ball for Mt Erin and St Michael’s High schools.
- Husband and wife Peter and Claire Slater will be Wagga Country Club’s men’s and women’s captains in 1998.
- Abbeyfield House which will provide family-style support for ten people is under construction and expected to be ready for its first residents in April.
- Wagga Compact chairwoman, Julie Briggs is pictured in the Daily Advertiser with guests attending the organisation’s Christmas Party.
- Wagga City Leagues Women’s Bowling Club held its annual presentation day.
50 Years Ago
- Southern Riverina County Clerk, Mr J Colquhoun said that Wagga residents could face severe water restrictions unless water consumption is drastically reduced over the next few days.
- Member for Wagga and Minister for Mines and Power, Mr Wal Fife unveiled a plaque to inaugurate work on the north campus of the Riverina College of Advanced Education.
- Kyeamba Shire Clerk, Mr Ray Laughton said that any approved home builder with land or with money to buy land in the Shire, particularly at Forest Hill, may be eligible for a minimum interest loan up to 90% of the house and land valuation.
- Dr C D Blake, principal of the Riverina College of Advanced Education said that considerable co-operation will be needed from the Wagga community with off-campus student numbers expected to almost double next year.
- Allegations of increased numbers of stock losses from Wagga Saleyards could result in Wagga City Council meeting half the cost of a five nights a week security patrol at the yards.
- A goods train derailed between Wagga and Uranquinty resulting in more than a quarter of a mile of twisted track and nine derailed goods vans and a guard’s van which took 14 hours to clear.
- Mr Tom Potts has been elected president of Wagga Jaycees for 1973, with vice presidents, Geoff Way and Pat Harrison, secretary, Fred Sawyer, and treasurer, Wes Campbell.
- Murrumbidgee Turf Club committeeman John Cox and Bill Blake with Eastern Light owned by Mr and Mrs Cox winning the Country Stakes at Wagga and Coltimor bred and owned by Mr Blake scoring at 20-1 in the Welter Handicap at Werribee.
- Papps and Brown Pharmacy on the corner of Gurwood and Fitzmaurice Streets has expanded into an adjoining building after earlier this year extending its hours of trading to 10 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Despite an increase in salaries of $800 Wagga Country Club turned a deficit of $2482 last year into a profit of $108 for the year ended September 30.
- Mr and Mrs Bill Hurd, representing Kurrajong School, accepted a cheque for $400 from the president of South Wagga Rotary, Mr Ken Duff at the Club’s Christmas party held on the lawns of Wagga Racecourse.
- The two school captains at Mount Austin High School, Christine Bruce and Peter Hooper received the RSL subbranch awards for leadership at the school’s annual speech night.
- “Climb Every Mountain” was the musical play put on by Turvey Park Demonstration School which played to a packed house as the school concert.
- Ideal weather conditions encouraged a large crowd at the Calvary Hospital Fete which raised over $4,000.
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
