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

25th January 2025

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

25 Years Ago

• Miss Wagga, Sidony Menz, Wagga’s Mayor Kevin Wales and David Gilbey were among those who addressed Wagga’s Australia Day Ceremony in the Botanic Gardens which attracted about 700 people.

• Waga’s Citizen of the Year was announced as Jean Pottie and Young Citizen of the Year as Jane McDonnell.

• Diane Mortimer, who was one of 13 people naturalised at the Australia Day Ceremony, was joined by the extended Mortimer family.

• Wagga solicitor, Michael Kennedy, received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his work with Kurrajong Waratah in this week’s Australia Day Honours.

• Member for Farrer, Tim Fischer announced that he would not contest the next elections after almost 30 years’ service in State and Federal parliaments.

• Belinda Sincock, Joan Skews, Jenny Lovekin, Karen Hewson, Sue Jackson, Kerrie Lawrence, Suan Hackett, Marie Gregg, Cathy Salmon, Leonie Favell, Leanne Barclay, Judy Toshack and Michelle Calder were among those attending a farewell dinner at the Victoria Hotel for Lorraine Richter who has left the National Bank after 17 years of service.

• Ray Mullins made his 175^th donation of blood at the Wagga Blood Bank.

• Campus manager, Pam Green and Director of delivery and student services, Graeme Stuchbery were among those attending the Riverina Institute of TAFE open day with record enrolments expected this year.

• Police Inspector Frank Goodyer denied claims that Wagga was a “City of Violence” saying that Wagga’ major problem was a small number of people who indulge in anti-social behaviour after a night out.

• Wagga Kangaroos’ winger, Brett Ridley will start a new career with St George-Illawarra next week.

• Riverina Gums are advertising Luxury Retirement Units priced from $95,000.

• Rising Insurance claims from people claiming they have slipped and fallen on Wagga’s new main street footpath pavers has forced Wagga City Council to order new tests on slip resistance.

• Of 5000 people named as Olympic Games 2000 torchbearers, 178 are from Wagga and District including Brigitte Crawford, Jock Currie, Anthony Paul, John Oliver and Mick Taggart.

• Wagga City Council is investigating an arrangement to lease Staunton Oval from the Wagga Leagues Club which would relieve the club of responsibility for paying rates to Wagga City Council.

• Wagga City Council will reconsider its decision to refuse an application for Wagga businessman, Phil Croaker, to hold a monthly car market at the Wagga Showground after Mr Croaker told Council he was prepared to challenge the decision in the Land and Environment Court.

.50 Years Ago

• The Reverend Patricia Dunn, the first woman Methodist minister in New South Wales has begun her appointment at the Turvey Park Methodist Church.

• Archdeacon K A Osborne is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and his 13^th anniversary as rector of St John’s Anglican Parish.

• Wendy Taylor and Anthony McMullen have been appointed as School Captains and Sue Grimmond and Peter Higgins as Vice-Captains at Mount Austin High School.

• Wagga Jaycees raised about $1,000 at their annual bathtub derby on Lake Albert with about 300 people turning out to watch some unusual “craft” take to the water.

• Bill Chapman, Ray Barnett and Joanne Powell are pictured with the new CARS computer accounting system installed by Hartwig’s Holden.

• Tandy Electronics are having a Grand Opening Sale which includes student calculators for $16.95, an auto reverse car cassette player for $94.95 and a lie detector kit for $13.95.

• Huthwaites are selling IXL sliced peaches 822 g can for 38 cents, Mountain Maid garden peas 15½oz can for 22 cents and Colgate economy toothpaste for 37 cents.

• Construction of the new greyhound track inside the trotting track at the Wagga Showgrounds is nearing completion.

• Rain and a cold southerly change have given Riverina firefighters a welcome respite from last week’s serious outbreak of bushfires.

• Representatives of 10 Riverina Councils are meeting to discuss council boundaries adjoining or adjacent to Wagga and Albury following a recent proposal to amalgamate Mitchell, Kyeamba and Lockhart Shires.

• Industrial electricity restrictions have been eased but commercial and residential restrictions will continue until further notice as industrial action by Electricity Commission workers continues.

• Mitchell Shire Engineer, Max Fokes, said that the major breakdown in road surfaces between Wagga and Oura would be repaired within two weeks.

• Riverina Area Director of Education, MR L A Findlay said “Back to School” in the Riverina was free of major problems with about 7000 secondary students enrolling at schools throughout the Riverina.

• 73 teams will take part in the Wagga Junior Basketball Association competition starting next Saturday.

• A Fokker Friendship plane preparing for the regular Airlines of NSW flight to Wagga was delayed for more than 30 minutes by a bomb scare.

• Wagga Amateur Athletics Club members won a gold medal, three silver medals and four bronze medals in the 1975 State country championships held in Sydney.

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