30th November 2024
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- The Astor Inn has sought council permission for a six-month trial of 24-hour trading five days a week.
- Wagga City Council is undertaking a feasibility study for an upgrade and master plan for Robertson Oval and Bolton Park.
- Life member, Lex Bittar unveiled a plaque to celebrate the Wagga Education Centre’s 25th birthday.
- Tidy Towns business awards were presented to Jeff Rapley, Bob Williams, Gordon Brennan, Fay Absolum, Rolf Kanck, Chris Abbott, Donna Abott Les Arnott and Joan Arnott.
- Wagga’s main streetlights were officially turned on, a Christmas tree in the Victory Memorial Gardens was lit with lights and fireworks lit the sky as part of the official opening of the $12 Main Street upgrade.
- Arthur French, one of the pioneers of rugby league in the Riverina, has died at the age of 93.
- Chief Executive, Ted Coupe said that Calvary hospital is reducing staff numbers by 10 to 12 per cent across all areas of the hospital as part of a rationalisation program.
- Chelsea Knight won a senior bursary for voice after performing at the Riverina Conservatorium prize day.
- Peter Simpfendorfer is pictured helping Geoff Funnell of West Wyalong with some questions about stamps at the Wagga Stamp Club’s annual stamp and coin fair held at Sturt Public School.
- The Wagga Wagga Writers Writers launched three books in three cities, one of which was Wagga.
- Samantha Cox, Scott Eyles, Nicola Savage, Rebecca Barton, Scott Honeyman, Fiona Clarke, Julie Dennis, and John Wigg, are pictured attending the Kooringal High School Year 12 formal.
- Mount Erin High School principal Clem Welch addressed the school’s awards night held at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre.
- Scott Eisenhauer, Garry Lewis, Luke McKenzie, Danny Bretherton, David Baggio, Austin Payne, Brad Sainsbury and Joel Willoughby are pictured as members of a Wagga representative touch team who were successful in a recent inter-regional tournament.
- Saint Michael’s Cathedral is hosting a unique “Road to Bethlehem” concert with visiting singers Vanessa Fallon and James Payne as soloists with the Wollundry Singers.
- Mona Smith is proudly displaying this year’s championship singles trophy which she received at South Wagga Women’s Bowling Club.
- Steve Williams, Bradley Sheaham, Rachel Wallace and Lorraine Pitaman were among those attending the opening of the art exhibition “Celebration of Ability” at the Wagga City Art Gallery.
- New Zealand speedster Michael Pope stole the show at the Wagga International Speedway on Saturday night.
50 Years Ago
- Fire gutted a galvanised iron storage shed in Invermay Lane used by plumber John Fleming, Riverina Furniture Pty Ltd and Paterson’s Pty Ltd. Portions of a workshop of Ohlsen and Sons motorcycle dealers and an adjacent building occupied by Thomas Brothers were also damaged.
- 51-year-old Morris Hetherington won the Country Club golf championship for the first time.
- Leagues Club star Bill McCaig returned to top cricket form with a slashing 62 against Lake Albert in a first-grade match at Gissing Oval.
- Three-year-old Nerida Gibbs and her mother Belinda Gibbs were among those enjoying the Wagga Base Hospital Fete.
- Member for Wagga, Wal Fife purchased the first Lottery ticket sold by Hunter Brothers, Wagga’s first official lottery agent. Watching on were the Mayor Ald Dick Gorman and manager of Hunter’s Graham Irons.
- Diane Cook, Bill Stanford, Robyn and David Baker are among those rehearsing for the Wagga School of Arts production of “The Runaway Steamboat”.
- The Wagga Lions Club Christmas Parade will pass along Fitzmaurice and Baylis Streets this week and will be followed by the Lions Club Fete at the Wagga Motors South Used Car Yard.
- Colin Anderson won the 1974 NSW Drama Festival “Best Actor” Award for his part in the local production “Stop the World I Want to Get Off”.
- Mayor, Dick Gorman, told the Grants Commission meeting in Narrandera that Wagga was the fastest growing non-metropolitan area in NSW with an annual population growth over the past decade of 2.8% and a projected minimum of 4.5% over the next two years.
- Member for Wagga, Wal Fife said that tenders had closed for construction of a multi-purpose assembly hall at Mount Austin High School and that he had recommended that it be named in honour of the late Mr Colin Oliver, the schools foundation principal.
- Wagga orienteer, Rod Dominish, came third in the Australasian Championships held in New Zealand.
- The Riverina Advisory Council is seeking a government grant of $150,000 to establish a regional mobile library service in the area.
- Kelly Milne, Anna Comerford, Donna Wilson and Helen McIntyre made up the Wagga Little Athletics under 10 girls relay team which broke an Australian record at the State titles in Sydney.
- All students of Jill Chappelow, music teacher of Coursing Park were successful in passing pianoforte examinations and musicianship conducted recently by the Australian Music Examination Board.
- Wagga City Council is recalling tenders for the city’s garbage collection after initially accepting the third lowest tender last month.
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
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