In Wagga’s Past – 25 and 50 Years ago.

3rd August 2024

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

25 Years Ago

• Speaking to the monthly meeting of the Wagga Liberal Party women’s branch Wagga Police Local Area Commander, Steve Bradshaw said that Southern River’s Police have seized drugs and cash with a street value of more $6.1 million dollars in the past 18 months.

• Supt Bradshaw also told the meeting that the main crime problem in Wagga is assault and that almost 40 per cent of those assaults are of a domestic nature.

• The Australian Army Band Kapooka celebrated its 31^st Birthday with members led by Major Patrick Pickett celebrating with the cutting of cake prepared for the occasion.

• After struggling through the mid-season with a knee problem, Wagga Tigers forward Paul Irvine recaptured his best form to help spearhead the reigning premier to a 30-point win over Leeton-Whitton.

• Wagga Netball Association celebrated the 70^th year of netball along with over 100 other district netball associations across the State.

• Peter Brown on saxophone, Kevin McArthur on drums, Pat Halloran on guitar and Mike McCall on bass are pictured playing at a Wagga Jazz Festival launch event at the Duke of Kent Hotel.

• The annual Packham Cup hockey challenge was played at Jubilee Park with the cup being shared by local Wagga side the Cavaliers and St Patrick’s, Canberra.

• Maree Gray was drawn from thousands of entries to win a dinner for twenty at Locksley, The Restaurant valued at $1000.

• Justin Kahlefeldt and Mitchell Sykes are representing New South Wales in the primary schools’ national Australian football championships starting in Canberra this weekend.

• About 16 young people attended a meeting convened by former One Nation Wagga branch president and State election candidate, Greg Jerrick to officially establish “Young Nation” as a new youth wing of One Nation in Wagga.

• Anna Longmore and Mathew Rooke took first place in the Southern Cross Open Modern Dance Championships held in Melbourne.

• About 100 people gathered to witness the blessing of the final stage of the Calvary Hospital redevelopment which includes new consulting suites, extensions to Saint Gerard’s Wing and the construction of the Claude Pulver Critical Care Unit.

• About 45 people attended a Wagga City Council pre-election information session.

• Five men accused of holding up the Zeigler Avenue Store earlier this year appeared in Wagga District Court.

50 Years Ago

• Wagga’s Walk Against Want is being held this weekend starting at Harefield Railway Station and finishing at Wagga Public School. Free trains will depart Wagga Railway station at 8am, 9.15am and 10.30am.

• Wagga clay pigeon shooting champion, Barney Rooke, who is leaving this week for several weeks in the United States, won the City of Wagga doubles championship with his son, Michael at the Wagga Gun Club.

• Members of the Wagga Tennis Association chopped and loaded timber from the “Gumly Park” property of Mr Joe Schipp to be sold in aid of Wagga’s planned tennis complex.

• The “Straw Chook Bistro”, under Berrigan’s Shoe Store is advertising Champagne or Coffee Suppers as something special for those attending concerts nearby.

• The World head of the Christian Brothers Order, Br. J L Kilty who is visiting Wagga told students at St Michaels Regional High School that they should be thankful at being educated as in some country’s children received no education at all.

• Stephen Nolan and Kevin Carey of Mount Austin Primary School have been selected in the State Under 12 Australian Rules Football team.

• Milton Elliott “is now the Boss” of Milton’s Gear next to the Car Radio Centre (Ex Barry’s Gear).

• Mr Wal Fife, Member for Wagga and Mr M E Beatton, Principal of Wagga High School were among those attending the Wagga Technical College’s 31^st Annual Presentation of certificates and prizes.

• Most Riverina service stations are rationing fuel or serving only regular customers as oil company distributors in Wagga said depots had reached an all time low in the city.

• Wagga experienced one of its coldest mornings ever with the mercury falling to minus 5.4 degrees Celsius shortly after 5am.

• At the request of park licensee, Mr M S Thompson, Wagga City Council has agreed to raise camping fees at the city’s caravan park by 25%. The new nightly charges will be $1 for a party of two adults with 20 cents for each additional adult and 10 cents for each child.

• Mr Les Allen has been appointed by Wagga City Council as City Litter Officer and is empowered to give on the spot $20 fines to anyone littering a public place.

• Wagga City Council has been requested by the Mt Austin Public School Parents and Citizens Association to establish the city’s second swimming pool complex in the Mt Austin area.

• Well known Wagga chiropractor, Mr R Peters has been honoured by the Parker Chiropractic Research Foundation in Texas for his contribution to the Chiropractic profession.

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