6th May 2023
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- The first work on the Baylis Street upgrade has been completed with the section between Wollundry Lagoon Bridge and Morrow Street reopened to the public.
- Staff at the Wagga branch of the ANZ Bank in Fitzmaurice Street were told that the branch is to be closed on 19th June with a loss of three jobs as it is merged with the ANZ South Wagga branch in Baylis Street.
- Patrick Byrnes new book Remember the 1950s, 60s and 70s in Wagga Wagga was launched at Book City with Wagga Citizen of the Year and local historian, John Winterbottom.
- Top performers including Tracy Coster and Reg Poole were among the entertainers taking part in a Country Music Day at the Shanty Hotel.
- Dennis and Carmele Castrission ended work at the Kooringal Pharmacy after 30 years. Wagga Pharmacist Tony Price will continue to operate the pharmacy as it has in the past.
- Graham McKane, a former Highland dancing World Championship finalist who first learnt to dance from Yvonne O’Connor was in Wagga to adjudicate the annual Yvonne O’Connor Highland Dancing Competition.
- Long-time Wagga resident, Reg Jenkins, was inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow by the President of the Wagga Rotary Club, Bryan Short.
- Angela Ferres who last year completed the TAFE Certificate III Tourism course was presented with an award for being the best in the state.
- Mark McDevitt was named Leagues Club Cricket Club’s player of the year.
- Wagga Volunteers Centre co-ordinator, Alice Martin, is seeking to raise the profile of volunteers during volunteers week in the hope of attracting more people to non-profit organisations.
- The Red Lion Hotel is offering live entertainment and a 50% Discount in the Bistro for Mums on Mother’s Day.
- Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Development, Mark Vaile, officially launched the Riverina Regional Community Information Database in Wagga.
- The River to Rail Group chaired by Julie Hoy is convening a meeting with police and business and community leaders to discuss the establishment of Crimestoppers in the City.
- For the fourth consecutive year, the St Andrew’s Junior Eisteddfod has broken the previous year’s record for the number of entrants with 360 children completing in 800 performances this year.
- Members of the Wagga City Aero Club which is now in its second year will hold their first organised flying activity this weekend.
50 Years Ago
- Mrs G Petherbridge wore an attractive white woollen frock and coat ensemble for the opening day of the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival.
- A record second-day crowd of over 8000 saw Red Hope gain the upper hand over Mr Timor to win the 1973 Wagga Gold Cup in record time.
- Mr Ken Fife, manager of Fife’s Bakery and Riverina Baking Company who retired recently after 32 years with the firms was given a testimonial dinner at the Wagga Leagues Club.
- More than 400 people attended the annual Scottish Ball at the Police Boys Club with 26 debutantes presented to the Mayor and Mayoress, Ald and Mrs R Gorman including their daughter, Gaye.
- Three members of the NSW Energy Advisory Committee attended a conference in Wagga discussing fuels including natural gas in the region.
- More than 600 people attended the Catholic Ball at the Kyeamba Smith Hall with 29 debutants presented to the Bishop of Wagga, Dr F P Carroll.
- The Wagga Handweavers and Spinners group is holding a display for the next two weeks at the Wagga Council Chambers.
- More than 800 people attended a Requiem Mass at St Michael’s Cathedral for Father William James Gilby who died this week after devoting more than 40 years to the priesthood in the Wagga diocese.
- Edmondson’s is advertising Heinz tinned soups, 16 oz for 15 cents, White Wings, plain or self-raising flour, 2 lb for 17 cents and Uncle Toby’s Oats, 2lb for 42 cents.
- Council called for reports from Town Planner, Sel Rawlings and Chief Building Inspector, Keith Bassett and will also invite written submissions from the public concerning any aspect of flat development in the city.
- President of the Wagga Branch of the Right to Life organisation, Dr F V Joseph said that more than 150 Wagga people will travel to Canberra this week to link up with thousands of others to protest proposed legislation to permit abortion on demand.
- North Wagga and Farrer League footballer, Neil Polsen threw the perfect darts score of 180 playing for Black Swan against Rosellas One.
- The Australian Association for Better Hearing has granted full branch status to the Wagga group with people interested in helping asked to contact Mrs M Taber “Kingston”, Galore.
- The Bidgee Pony Club seven-day camp begins this week at the Wagga Showgrounds.
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
