16th March 2024
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- Anglican bishops, George Browning and Bruce Clark officially opened the latest extensions to Saint Martins residential college at Charles Sturt University, Wagga.
- Member for Riverina, Kay Hull farewelled members of the Australian Army Kapooka who are travelling to Sabah, Malaysia to perform at the opening and dedication of a memorial and commemorative pavilion at Sandakan Memorial Park.
- All seven candidates for the seat of Wagga, Jim Booth, Daryl Maguire, Colin McPherson, Greg Jerrick, Leigh Campbell, Peter Dale, and Rex Graham attended an election forum held at the Wagga Leagues Club.
- Pat Kain, Pat Brassil, Pat Coombs, Pat Anderson, Pat O’Halloran, and Pat McDonough were among those joining organiser, Pat Fitzpatrick celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the Bridge Tavern.
- Former students from the Rock Public School met at the Kings Own Hotel-Motel to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the 1943 Intermediate Certificate.
- A new executive of the Wagga sub-branch of the Returned and Services League has been elected with David Callow who served in the Sydney University Regiment as president, the first non-returned ex-serviceman elected in the sub-branch’s history.
- John Wright, a member of the Wagga Tigers victorious 1965, first ever junior premiership, under 13’s team, is organising a reunion of the team.
- Joe Shipp MP is promoting “Breakfast with Alan Jones” as a fundraiser for Daryl Maguire.
- The Riverina Cat Club’s second annual Three Ring Championship Kitten and Companion Cat Show attracted a large crowd to the Police and Community Youth Club.
- Southern Rivers Regional Police Commander, Eric Gollan said that police response times have improved over the last eighteen months with responses to 80% of urgent calls in 10 minutes compared to the State average of 11 minutes.
- A report to council’s finance committee estimates the final cost of Wagga’s Civic Centre as $22,045,071 which is $1,067,770 over budget.
- Chief executive of the Forrest Centre nursing home, Neil Stubbs, has appealed to Wagga City Council to help stop what he calls the dismantling of existing aged care services by the Greater Murray Health Service.
- Council outdoor staff are seeking a 50% wage loading for main street work which would add another $90,000 to the main street upgrade budget which is facing a total blow-out of $400,000 unless cuts are made.
- Council’s environmental services committee is recommending $380,000 be spent on a community centre and childcare facility in Pinaroo Drive.
50 Years Ago
- Wagga’s Mayor, Ald M Gissing announced that Council had decided unanimously to grant the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Mount Erin the Freedom of the City.
- Detailed plans and specifications have been drawn up for the proposed major complex of the Wagga Tennis Association at Bolton Park.
- President of Wagga Apex Club, Frank Fountain appealed to parents to take advantage of the “Apex Operation Save Life” by asking at local pharmacies for a free bottle of “Epicac” which can be used for some types of poisoning or overdoses.
- The annual Rotary District 270 conference is being held this weekend at the Wagga Agricultural College.
- Francis Alberni, president of the Rotary Club of South Wagga will host a conference dinner dance for conference attendees, Rotarians and Rotaryannes, which will include a mannequin parade at the Kyeamba Smith Hall.
- Huthwaites are clearing 42 top brand wool and wool blend men’s suits for $35 each.
- Wagga businessman, Ted Bartholomew has been named Mercedes Benz Dealer of the Year.
- Max Taber scored a 288 game at the Wagga Bowl, the highest score in the Wagga League since the Alley opened 10 years ago.
- Travis Wenham and Rachel Ballin were winners of the best boy and girl baby in the 6-to-12-month section of the St. Aidan’s Church Fair and Baby Show.
- Four cars were damaged, two extensively, in a spectacular pile-up near the intersection of Trail and Kincaid Streets.
- Wagga’s population on June 30 last year was about 30,310, an increase of 800 in 12 months.
- Students at the Riverina College of Advanced Education staged a protest march against what they believe are “unfair rents” asked by some landlords.
- Council has approved in principle the establishment of a minibike circuit near the Wiradjuri Reserve.
- For the third year in succession, Mount Austin High School won the combined Wagga High Schools annual swimming championships.
- Council is likely to support an application by Wagga’s bus operator, F A Fearne to increase bus fares by 12½ per cent.
- Toohey’s beer was introduced this week to the Wagga Leagues Club and the new Tolland Hotel.
- About 1000 school children from a wide area of the Wagga District packed Hoyts Theatre for a special youth concert by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
- More than 150 riders took part in San Isidore Pony Club’s first open gymkhana.
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
