17th August 2024
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- Two thousand people packed the Wagga Leagues Club Auditorium and Weissel Room to show their support for a proposed cancer-fighting radiotherapy centre in Wagga.
- Local businessman Brian Kahlefeldt and his wife Joy donated $100,000 to the Campaign for a local radiotherapy clinic with more than $300,000 having now been raised towards the total of $6 million needed for the service.
- The Wagga branch of the Australian Hoteliers Association launched a campaign to raise $100,000 for the proposed radiotherapy clinic.
- A new study backed the use of an upgraded Bankstown Airport to service regional airlines including Kendell’s flying in and out of Sydney.
- Council is drafting a policy which if adopted would remove a ban on “sandwich board” advertising signs on the footpath outside retailers and would instead encourage displays of merchandise and other business facilities on the footpath.
- The Australian Kapooka Stage Band, the Riverina Conservatorium Big Band and the Wagga Jazz Quartet were among those performing at the Rotary Club of Wagga annual Jazz Night held at the Commercial Club.
- Former principal, Graham Kennedy opened St Michael’s Regional High School 20th annual Art and Craft Show and is pictured with committee member, Vicki Marchant and the school’s current principal Kerry Mowett.
- Artist Arthur Wicks opened an exhibition of his works entitled A Survey of Printmaking at the Docker Street Gallery.
- Commercial Club president, John Gray and vice president, Noel Cook are pictured presenting a cheque, the proceeds of the Clubs raffle night, to Pauline Black from the St Vincent de Paul Society.
- Westpac managing director, Dr David Morgan was in Wagga to inspect the new Specialist Medical Centre under construction in Edward Street. Westpac provided more than two-thirds of the $3 million needed for the development.
- Wagga mother, Ellen Moore, is leading a crusade to have a children’s ward re-established at Calvary Hospital.
- Aged care facilities look set to stay at the Forrest Centre with Greater Murray Area Health Service (GMAHS) bowing to community pressure on the issue.
- Mayor, John Harding turned the first sod to mark the beginning of construction by Wagga TAFE students of a new building at the corner of Wiradjuri Crescent and Orana Place which will house all the Red Cross local services.
50 Years Ago
- Wagga’s third Apex Club, Central Wagga Apex, held its inaugural dinner at the Police Boys Club. President of the new club is David Sullivan and secretary, Grant McRae.
- 27 candidates, the biggest number since 1959 will contest the Wagga City Council triennial elections on September 21.
- Four Wagga boy scouts, Robert Blake, Graham Larkins, Peter and Chris Hains along with District Commissioner, Peter Hains and his wife Elaine are leaving this week to attend the first Fiji National Jamboree.
- Wagga motorcycle dealer, Jack Skeers presented the president of the Wagga Motorcycle Sports Club, Mr Ian Craft, with a typewriter and an adding machine to help ease the club’s workload and increase its efficiency.
- Riverina College of Advanced Education signed a $798,000 contract with Buckman Building Group for the fifth new building on the College’s north campus.
- Former NSW Sheffield Shield cricketer, Mr Dick Guy was guest speaker at the Riverina Cricket Council annual meeting at the Wagga Leagues Club.
- More than 40 meat inspectors from the Riverina attended a conference at the Wagga Agricultural College to discuss problems of meat inspection at District Abattoirs.
- The Deputy Director of the State Department of Youth and Community Services, Mr E Moylan visited Wagga to discuss welfare developments planned for Wagga.
- Wagga Mayor, Ald M H Gissing farewelled visiting Lions Club Japanese exchange student Miss Kimiko Yokoyama who has spent four weeks in Wagga and West Wyalong.
- President of Wagga Rugby League, Arthur Dixon, presented the winning trophies at the Wagga Sub-Junior Rugby League grand final day.
- Vice-chairman of Wagga City Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, Ald R J Harris reported that Wagga City Council had spent more than $1.5 million on sports grounds, parks and reserves in the last 12 years and will spend an estimated further $280,000 this year.
- Bill Bittar and his family won first prize and two consolation prizes totalling $62,000 from ten tickets purchased in the NSW Jackpot Lottery.
- Noel Barnes and Norm Chant won the Wagga and District Bowling Association State pairs final.
- Wagga had 829 people out of work in July with only 129 job vacancies.
- Wagga Mayor, Ald M H Gissing presented a life membership badge to Mrs V Elphick at the annual meeting of the Association of Civilian Widows.
- Wagga Cricket Association president, Mr Norm McLennan has been elected chairman of the Riverina Cricket Council.
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
