27th May 2023
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- Five classrooms at Wagga’s Saint Michael’s Regional High School, McGrath Wing were gutted by a fire which swept through the building causing damage of more than $1 million.
- Wagga man, Peter Hargreaves survived a preselection ballot against West Wyalong optometrist, Tony Lord to be declared as the preferred candidate to represent the ALP for the seat of Riverina at the next Federal election.
- The first Wagga Aero Club flying competition was won by Peter Middleton and John Westman.
- Chartered Accountant, Rodney Parsons was one of about 20 Wagga accountants who met with the Institute of Chartered Accountants to discuss tax reform and other issues including a Goods and Services Tax.
- David Benn, captain of the Kooringal Colts Cricket Club third grade team and past president of the Riverine Cricket Club has retired after 42 years of playing cricket.
- Lindsay Hamill was presented with a Silver Acorn Award at the Riverina Region Scout Association annual general meeting.
- Front office staff from the Daily Advertiser, including Kerryn Patterson, Carmel Whelan, Garry Hale, Elaine Hindmarsh, and Sharon McLachlan are pictured in the Daily Advertiser sharing coffee, tea, and tasty treats as part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
- Foley’s Dance Studio held a dinner dance at the Commercial Club to raise funds for Wagga dancers, Anna Longmore, and Matthew Rooke to compete in England and Singapore.
- Residents on the corner of Amaroo and Horsley streets voiced their anger at a proposal that could lead to houses being built on what they regard as public land.
- Wagga City Council has renewed the contracts of its five department heads, John Craig (Community Services), Tony Elphick (Corporate Services), Kerry Geale (Recreation and Cultural Services), Ian Graham, (Environmental Services) and Gary Wells (Engineering and Technical Services).
- Mayor, John Harding presented special awards for beautification projects in Wagga to the Riverina Woodworkers Club, Riverina Spraying Service, Batkin and Damme Smash Repairs and Bax and Cochrane Auto Clinic, Arthur Graham, and Lisa Duncan.
- A portion of the Overdale property belonging to the Little Company of Mary was sold at auction by GJ Fitzpatrick and Co for $197,500.
- Salvation Army Captain Oz Lattouf said 160 volunteers had canvased 80 per cent of the city and collected $22,000 for the annual Red Shield Appeal.
- Comments made on radio by controversial Wagga City Councillor, Jim Eldridge on National Sorry Day this week have been referred on to the Human Rights Commission.
- Council plans to allocate about $80,000 of its road maintenance funds to bring Dunn’s Road to an all-weather standard.
50 Years Ago
- “Rock Happening ’73” featuring top rock group Sherbet plus Daryl Braithwaite is playing at the Kyeamba Smith Hall with admission for just $2.
- Surgeon, Dr John Dalton is leaving Wagga after 12 years to take up a post in the Professorial Unit of the Syracuse Hospital in New York State.
- 1972 winner of the Bathurst 500, Peter Brock, is in Wagga to take part in the official opening of the new Wagga Motors Auto Centre in Dobney Avenue.
- President of the Caledonian Society, Mr N Forbes Taber and Mrs Taber greeted about 200 guests at the Wagga Caledonian Ball held at the Wagga Police Boys Club.
- Wagga Quota Club held its 15th Installation Dinner at the Leagues Club Auditorium with Mrs Hamill taking over as club president.
- A reception for more than 60 guests was held at the Wagga Commercial Club after the wedding of Miss Susan Sladek and Mr Jeffery Wilson at St Andrew’s Church recently.
- The Apex and Boy Scouts annual Jam Drive is being held this week.
- Former Alderman on Wagga City Council, Mrs E Geoghegan is paying a brief visit to Wagga and is pictured with her husband in the Daily Advertiser being entertained to lunch at the Wagga RSL Club by her brother, Mr J E Colquhoun, SRCC County Clerk.
- Well-known Wagga trotting administrator, Mr Max Croker entertained prominent trainer Kevin Robinson and Mr & Mrs Bob Webb part owners of Inter-Dominion winner Hondo Grattan at the Wagga Commercial Club.
- Cuzner’s Kooringal Hardware are advertising a large range of pretty fireworks.
- The president of the East Wagga Football Club, Mr Jack Jones, a former Sheffield Shield cricketer and first-grade VFL footballer, collapsed and died while working at the Gumly Gumly football ground.
- The NSW Society for Crippled Children is surveying the needs of physically handicapped children which may lead to the establishment of a hostel for disabled children in the Riverina.
- Well-known Wagga girl, Anne Veerhuis, entered the Presentation Order at Mount Erin Convent.
- About 120 members of Rural Youth clubs from throughout the State attended a two-day seminar held at San Isadore.
- Fifty-seven applications have been received so far for the first full-time appointment of a manager of the Riverina Australian Football Club being established in Fernleigh Road. Applications close next week with club secretary Mr Ron Harrison.
- Member for Wagga, Mr Wal Fife, announced that the regional headquarters of the Valuer General’s Department will be established in Wagga.
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
