Compiled from the Daily Advertiser
by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society
25 Years Ago
- An Army 2nd Division Signals Reunion was held in Wagga to mark the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific and 80 years of service by the Signals.
- The twelfth annual Department of School Education’s senior music camp was held at Borambola.
- Wagga Rural Specialist Obstetrician, Dr George Angus said that the vast majority of obstetricians were in favour of returning to work after their seven-day strike.
- Wagga Education Centre chairwoman, Ros Brennan presented former board director, John Ferguson with a life membership plaque from the centre.
- Supré Fashion Warehouse opened in Baylis Street.
- Council held a public meeting at the North Wagga Public Hall to discuss options for managing the future development of the Bomen area.
- Ruth Lennon, President of the Wagga Carers / Alzheimer’s Support Groups sought assurances from election candidates, Joe Schipp and Col McPherson that Wagga will not lose its Dementia Care Counsellor, Andrew Proctor.
- Kate Harris was appointed as the junior development officer for the Wagga Junior Hockey Association.
- John and Peter Raczkowski along with John Shearer, all members of the Home Tavern Team have been graded as master players in the 1995 ranking for 8-ball pool in NSW.
- Ross Braine celebrated his 101st birthday with friends and relatives at The Haven.
- Celebrations are underway to mark the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Church’s South Wagga parish.
- Papa Giuseppi’s Family Pizzas are $2.39, Devondale Extra Soft 375g, 99 cents and Fountain Tomato Sauce 600ml just $1.49 at Cannons Supermarket.
- An angry local resident claimed that drunks have rendered Webb Park at Ashmont unsafe for the general public to use.
50 Years Ago
- NSW Governor, Sir Rodin Cutler attended the official opening of Wagga’s Centenary of Local Government.
- More than 80 colourfully decorated floats paraded down Wagga’s main streets led by the Wagga City Council official float and separated by bands, Kapooka Military Units and marching girls in the Centenary street procession.
- Postal Clerk, Bill Sanford has dressed in 1870 period costume to act as Special Centenary postmaster and issue a special centenary postmark outside the City Council Chambers.
- During the Local Government Centenary Regatta, a crowd estimated at 5000 saw a hydroplane driven by Doug Bailey skim over the water at a speed of 107.4 miles per hour to establish a new “straight-line record at Lake Albert.
- RSL Club’s No. 4 team won the pennant at the Centenary Bowls tournament, which was presented by Wallace Blake, president of the Riverina District Bowls Association.
- More than 300 people saw 16 debutantes presented to Sir Kevin and Lady Ellis at the Grand Centenary Presentation Ball held at Kyeamba Smith Hall.
- Deborah Crisp and Phillip Gissing from Mt Austin High School won the senior secondary section of the Wagga Centenary essay competition.
- More than 2000 school students launched the Wagga Centenary “Youth Day” by marching down Baylis Street to Robertson Oval.
- General Sir John Wilton Chief of the General Staff took the salute at a Ceremonial Beating of the Retreat outside the Wagga City Council Chambers.
- “Exercise 100,000” which considers an increase in Wagga’s population to 100,000 by the year 2000 has been prepared by Wagga City Council Officers for the NSW Department of Decentralisation and Development.
- An impromptu afternoon tea party reunion of Wagga Grammar School old girls was held at the home of former teacher, Miss Eileen Day in Wollundry Avenue.
- A dedication ceremony was held for a planned new block at the 2WG old people’s home, “The Haven” with a 95-year-old resident, Mrs Alice Hourn along with Wagga’s Mayor, Ald Harris and Mayor of Leavenworth Mr R Miller planting commemorative trees.
- Stan Henwood is selling “beautifully situated blocks” in Panorama Street, Kooringal from $1800 cash.
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
