Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- Wagga’s new $3.6 million Wiradjuri Bridge is now open to traffic.
- Wagga City Council approved a $13 million plan to rejuvenate the Sturt Mall with only Councillor Jim Eldridge speaking against a recommendation from the environmental services committee.
- Hundreds of shoppers were evacuated from three Wagga supermarkets at the height of a huge thunderstorm that flooded homes, blocked roads and washed away fencing.
- The Ansett Travel Fair is being held at the Bolton Park Stadium with the Lucky Door Prize, a seven-night trip for two to Hong Kong.
- Dudley Graham, the last surviving member of the original Wagga Magpies football team died at Wagga Base Hospital, aged 86.
- Councillor Dennis Blackett accepted on behalf of Wagga City Council an organ donated to the Wagga Crematorium Chapel by Paul and Margaret Bedford in memory of the late Edna Maude Bedford.
- Wagga City Councillors voted by 10 votes to 5 to reject an application from Wagga Leagues Club requesting that Council give relief from the $7250 rates which the club pays in rates on Alan Staunton Oval.
- Sam Drummond, chairman of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club catering and bar facilities sub-board apologised to race goers for the lack of catering at the opening meeting of its new racecourse last week.
- Wagga City Council will allow the establishment of a go-kart facility in Copland Street which could attract state and national titles.
- The daughter of Thomas Trembath Lennon, who worked as a photographer at the Daily Advertiser during the 1950’s, 60’s and early 70’s and left a $2 million estate has failed in a Supreme Court bid to have her father’s will overturned.
- Dossers Quality Bakery has opened a brand-new Bakery and Takeaway in Mortimer Place.
50 Years Ago
- Wagga sweltered in the highest February temperature for 18 years with Forest Hill weather station recording a maximum of 105.2 degrees.
- Wagga contractor Mr. W Revell is erecting new street signs in Wagga suburbs for Wagga City Council which are distinguished by using different coloured signs in each suburb.
- The new Tolland Foodstore opened this week by Mr. Ray Slattery is the first store in a new shopping complex expected to be established over the next ten years in Bourke Street.
- The Mayor and Mayoress of Leavenworth, Mr. R Miller and Mrs. Miller are among five people from Leavenworth who will attend Wagga City Council’s centenary celebrations next month.
- Woolworths are selling Pal “Meat for Dogs” in a 14 ounce can for 16 cents with a limit of two per customer. Also featured are No.6, 2lb 10oz chickens selling for just $1.09.
- Nine residential crown land lots in Mimosa Street were sold at auction by Lands Department auctioneer, Mr. S Post.
- Riverina Area Director of Education, Mr. D A Swan has been appointed NSW Deputy Director of Primary Education and is being succeeded by Mr. L A Findlay.
- Park’s vice-chairman, Alderman W P Brennan said that of 150 children who enrolled in Council’s “Learn to Swim” campaign, 73 had received certificates for having swum 25 yards or more.
- District Governor for Lions, Mr. Bob Rollason presented the official charter for Wagga’s second Lions Club to the new South Wagga Lions Club president, Mr. John Mercer.
- Chairman of Directors, Mr. W J Hucker said that Prime Television Limited had declared an interim dividend of six per cent which is one per cent higher than the corresponding period last year.
- Father E P Fitzgerald inducted School Captains and Prefects at St. Mary’s Primary School. School Captain is Dianne Mooney, Vice-Captain, Maryanne Williams and Prefects Janice O’Brien, Karen Weir, Seandra Wild and Sharon Hubbard.
- District Schools Inspector, Mr. E S Campbell announced that Oura Public School will close next week.
- A dispute between Wagga City Council and the Southern Riverina County Council in relation to electricity industrial tariffs developed into a one-and-a-half-hour verbal battle at this week’s city council meeting.
- Several Wagga High Schools including Mt Austin High, Trinity Senior High School, Christian Brothers High School and Mt Erin High Schools elected their prefects and captains this week.
- In an often-heated debate Alderman, Cec Toy gave notice of motion to present a resolution which if carried would drastically change Wagga City Council’s ruling on awnings on city shops and offices.
- Wagga Swimming Baths will be used for the 1971 Water Polo Championships.
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
