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

15th February 2025

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

25 Years Ago

• Former Wagga Mayor, Peter Dale, has been appointed as executive officer of the Riverina Development Board (RRDB).

• Charles Sturt University’s vice-chancellor, Professor Cliff Blake, welcomed new students during this week’s commencement celebration.

• Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s newly appointed chief executive officer, Christine Williams has arrived in Wagga and will spend the next two weeks familiarising herself with the role before taking over from Mick Sullivan in early March.

• Frank and Jean Burgess celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary at the Garden Court Restaurant.

• Copland Street businessman, Mark Saddler, has urged Wagga City Council to install a roundabout on the corner of Copland Street and Lake Albert Road before there is a serious accident there.

• Percy and Yvonne Condon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Wagga R.S.L. Club. 

• More than 200 kilograms of chemicals were collected at Gregadoo Waste Management Centre as part of their third annual Chemical Collection Day.

• Ira Seidenstein, Fred Goldsworthy and Ray Goodlass were among those attending the launch of the University Theatre Ensemble’s season of plays at Charles Sturt University.

• Dorothy Priest, Roberta Kell, Helen Eccleston, Betty Clarke and Lorraine Lawrence were among those attending the 24^th birthday celebrations for Wagga Evening View Club.

• Wagga Golf enthusiast Ross Barby and his elderly Uncle, Burt McLain will be two of the expected 1000 competitors at the Australian Veterans Games to be held in Wagga next month.

• Murrumbidgee Life Education has received a grant of almost $12,500 from the AMP Foundation to refurbish its mobile classroom.

• Following almost three years of uncertainty, Prime Minister John Howard gave his word that the Royal Australian Air Force base at Forest Hill will remain open in the foreseeable future.

• Mayor, Kevin Wales said that two unofficial sources had advised him that the Duke of Edinburgh, but not the Queen, would be visiting Wagga during their Royal Tour in March.

• A proposed shift that would see regional airlines landing at Sydney’s Mascot airport moved to suburban Bankstown has incensed regional area operators and local politicians.

• The death has occurred of Mrs Alison May Blake, husband of the late John Blake who died in 1997, sister-in-law of Richard (Dick)who died last year and William (Bill) Blake who died on 6^th February this year.

• The new season of Wagga’s Tuesday night netball competition started this week with 40 teams.

50 Years Ago

• 3000 tickets have been printed for an initial open-air concert at the Eric Weissel Oval next week featuring Australia’s top singing idol, Johnny Farnham.

•  A new community health centre run by the N.S.W. Health Commission has begun operations at 88 Forsyth Street.

• Hunter McAlister, Grahame Negline and David Sullivan were among those attending a Civic Reception tendered by Deputy Mayor, Brian Allen for the International President of the Association of Apex Clubs, Don Ferguson, who is in Wagga as part of a tour of Apex Clubs.

• South Wagga Public School Captains, Grahame Baker and Tina Taylor and vice-captains Stephen Smith and Lorene Farrah received their badges from Mr K Tye, District Inspector of Schools and principal Mr Ted Doyle.

• A group of Henpexians, wives of Apex Club members, visited The Haven, meeting with Haven management Committee, president, Mr Colin White, with a view to forming an auxiliary for the Nan Roberts Community.

• Wagga’s Social Worker, Mrs Sue Vardon has resigned her position with Wagga City Council but has declined to give reasons for her resignation.

• President of the new Central Wagga Apex Club, David Sullivan received his president’s badge from zone president, Ian Nordeck, and District Governor, Geoff Molineaux.

• Englishman, Phil Jackson, formerly coach of Country has been selected to coach Riverina Rugby League this season.

• Dr Albert Pugsley will retire next month after a long and distinguished career as director of the Wagga Agricultural Research Institute.

• Gordon Braid was re-elected for his fifth term as a Country Vice-President of the Motor Traders Association of N.S.W.

• Gerald Nixon, Herb Smith and Maurice Beatton, representing Wagga Rotary Clubs are inviting teachers to apply for a Technical Training Award or a Special Teachers Award (Teacher of the Handicapped).

• Vice-president badges were presented to Mrs J Cox and Mrs D Magrath by the president, Mrs E Wiesel at a recent meeting of the Association of Civilian Widows.

• Society president, Mr W L Hurd suggested that there were several reasons for a decline in the number of competitors in last year’s Wagga Eisteddfod to 1564, a drop of 215 from 1973.

• Riverina Scouts are taking part in a drive to recruit 10,000 new blood donors across the state.

• A total of 135 entries have been received for the 27 holes summer tournament to be held at the Wagga City Golf Club.

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