Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Storm-ravaged Riverina centres could be looking at a damage bill of up to $10 million and a State of Emergency declaration was imminent following last Saturday’s destructive weather.
- Club president, John Gray, said that Wagga’s Commercial Club is to tighten its belt following several months of poor earnings.
- In the fifth break-in at a main street jewellery store in recent weeks, jewellery worth more than $30,000 was snatched by thieves in a smash-and-grab raid at Nugent and Andrea Jewellers on Baylis Street.
- Wagga will be the national headquarters of the National Clay Target Association following the handover of council-owned land next to the Wagga Gun Club in Copland Street.
- An angry Graham Gorrel, managing director of The Wagga Daily Advertiser group called on regional Australians to stop the bush exodus which he described as “decentralisation in reverse” leaving rural Australians as the modern-day forgotten race.
- A breakaway and unauthorised, Wagga One Nation branch elected an executive with Trevor Bates, president, Arnold Velthuis, vice-president, Karen Wright, secretary, Dorothy Barton, treasurer and eight committee members.
- Wagga’s 1997 Miss Showgirl, Sarah Shelley of Downside, has earned a spot in the Miss Showgirl competition State finals.
- Mount Erin High School 1998 vice-captain Cathy Walker and captain Claire Quigley along with 20 councillors and four house captains were presented with their badges.
- Thousands of Wagga school children are expected to visit the interactive Questacon “Environment” exhibition which opened in Wagga this week.
- Harley Rodham, a man committed to improving the Uranquinty community died at the age of 80 years.
- Unemployment in Wagga increased by 236 in January, up 7.5% from 3144 to 3380.
- The Riverina group of the Country Women’s Association donated $1010 towards a new infusion pump at Wagga Base Hospital.
- Tourism Wagga executive officer, Luke Grealy, said that Wagga’s size and location were strong points in its favour when it came to the rural conference market.
- Holly Andrews emerged as the brightest star at the Sacred Heart Primary School swimming carnival attended by more than 300 pupils.
- Wagga police are conducting a community survey to identify issues before developing a new crime prevention plan.
50 Years Ago
- Mr Thomas Watson, originally from Scotland, has been appointed as an assistant lecturer in economics at the Riverina College of Advanced Education.
- The Wagga branch of the Commonwealth Bank which was the sixteenth branch in Australia when it opened in 1914 is celebrating the opening of its 100,000th savings account at the branch.
- A television study course believed to be the first of its kind will be trialled in a joint endeavour by the Riverina College of Advanced Education and television stations RVN2 and AMV4.
- The Wagga branch of the Ex-POW Association held its annual remembrance ceremony at the Wagga Cenotaph with the Mayor, Ald. Dick Gorman, and president of the Wagga sub-branch of the RSL, Mr Colin Knott both attending.
- More than 45 architects, specifiers and commercial building contractors attended a trade night at the RSL Club organised by Hunter Douglas and Hardys.
- A new 63 miles long transmission line has been completed linking Wagga to the major 330,000-volt State network at Talbingo.
- John Kerwin, Janet Simpson, Cathie Lhuede and Virginia Hardy all broke records at the Trinity Senior High School swimming carnival.
- Among those attending a North Wagga Saints pre-season get-together included Allan Hayes, Cyril Bishop, Bill McPherson, Ross Alexander, and Keith Rozynski.
- Grand Opening Specials at Rick’s Jeans and Sportswear, opposite the T.A.B. at 32 Fitzmaurice Street include men’s denim shirts, $2.99, youth’s corduroy jean shorts, $2.00, and famous brand 1880 super weight denim jeans just $6.00 a pair.
- Members of the Wagga Leagues Club Swimming Club, including Gavin Larkins and Terry Gaffney, won major events at the Combined Leagues Club’s annual swimming carnival in Sydney.
- Mrs Susan Cheney of Urana Street celebrated her 90th birthday receiving telegrams of congratulation from the Governor General, Sir Paul Hasluck, Member for Wagga, Mr Wal Fife and the Premier of NSW, Sir Robert Askin.
- Wagga is becoming a popular place for American tourists, with Deputy Mayor, Ald Morris Gissing welcoming one group interested in agriculture and Bill Van Wel, chef for a barbeque held for another group on a “Jolly Swagman Tour”.
- Miss Australia, Michele Downes is visiting Wagga and was given a mayoral reception by the Mayor, Ald. Dick Gorman.
- President of the newly formed Wagga Film group, Mr Don Boadle issued a season’s program of viewing which he said was timely in view of the projected closure of Hoyts Theatre later this year.
- Wagga did not lose a wicket in retaining the Hedditch Cup against Ardlethan at Gissing Oval.
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
