The flood which arrived at Wagga Wagga on Friday, 30 August 1974, has long been remembered by Wagga residents as the first major test of Wagga’s levee bank. In fact, 1974 was quite unique in that a total of five floods, all over 8.92m (28 feet 9 inches) in height, hit the town between April & October.

Wagga’s Council elected in 1991 had 15 members with Ald Pat Brassil elected as Mayor and Ald John Harding as Deputy Mayor.

The first Presentation Sisters arrived in Wagga in May 1874 and the Mt Erin Convent was opened on December 10, 1876.

“Things very quiet everywhere bar the Somme. Yesterday I attended the Gas School and spent a very interesting day.

This footbridge from the Johnston Street end of Trail Street across to the Victory Memorial Gardens was replaced by Ivan Jack Drive in 1962.

In 1991 Wagga’s mayor, Pat Brassil, received the highest number of primary votes in the Wagga City Council Elections with second placed candidate being Lindsay Vidler from the Wagga Ratepayers Association…..

The first Wagga Wagga Show was held on 21st November 1864, attractions at the show were cattle, sheep and horse exhibitions and prizes were awarded. Throughout the years the Wagga Wagga Show has continued to grow and has become one of the oldest sheep shows in Australia.

Compiled from The Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.

Take a trip down memory lane to September 5 – 11 in 1996. There are loads of familiar faces – is yours one of them?

Gurwood Street in the 1960s. Visible are Edmondson’s, the Capitol Theatre, Southern Riverina County Council and Minty’s Motor Garage with the Court House clock in the background. Picture: Sherry Morris collection