Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- Almost 3000 utilities were used to form a giant map of Australia at the annual Deniliquin Ute Muster, although they fell slightly short of a Guinness World Record.
- About one in every 60 people breath-tested at the Ute Muster were charged with drink driving.
- Graeme and Jane Buchan celebrated 21 years in their business, Wagga Catering Equipment, with a function at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
- Leading rural rights campaigner, Bill Thompson, claimed country people are being kept in the dark about changes to Centrelink assets and income tests which could have dire consequences for them.
- Wagga and District Historical Society president, Henry Gardiner, presented life memberships to Zvonimir Hribar and Peter Brown. Looking on in a photo are Historical Society secretary, John Winterbottom and vice-president, Phyliss de Jersey.
- After first meeting by accident at a local dance, Arch and Verge Lewington celebrated 65 years of marriage.
- After twenty years in real estate, well-known Wagga businessman and sporting identity, Geoff McGilvray, has taken up a position with Jason Nissan as a new car consultant.
- Councillor Julie Hoy officially opened the NSW Disabilities Bowling Championships at the Wagga Bowling Centre.
- The Riverina Co-op, formed as the Mitchell Shire Co-operative Society in 1961, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary.
- John and Margaret Ryan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their Wagga home with many of their relatives.
- Wagga Harness Racing Club president John Brasier and Harness Racing executive Tony Mullins presented awards to Ross Arentz, Ray Walker and Scott Osmond.
- St Michael’s Regional High Year 10 class of 1980 held a reunion at the Wagga Leagues Club.
- Tolland Public School pupils are pictured displaying certificates for impressive results in an Australian Writing and English national competition.
- A $32 million capital works program to expand Wagga’s RAAF base has secured its long-term future less than 12 months after the defence training facility was to be shut down.
- In a bold move to boost patronage and revenue, Wagga Leagues Club is installing 30 new poker machines at a cost of around $450,000.
- A one-off Federal Government grant of $750,000 will allow Kendell Airlines to resume Wagga to Sydney and Wagga to Melbourne flights while it looks for a buyer.
- After eighteen years in Fitzmaurice Street, Capt’n Snooze will be moving to the new multi-million-dollar HomeBase bulky goods complex in Hammond Avenue.
50 Years Ago
- Wagga City Works Committee vice-chairman, Ald Allan Collins, invited members of the “Save the Lake” committee to discuss the future of Lake Albert with the committee later this week.
- A channel diverting water from Stringy Bark Creek into Marshalls Creek, bypassing Lake Albert, has been of concern to members of the “Save the Lake” Committee for some time.
- Immanuel Jewellers is celebrating its first birthday, and John McGeorge is pictured soldering a diamond ring while remodelling it.
- Heavy rain washed out the final day’s play in the Riverina Open Tennis Championships.
- Bill Blake, Stuart Meiklejohn, Dick Blake, Ernie Jones, Max Leitch, “Tash” McKenzie and Bill Lenehan are pictured taking a break during cattle judging for the Wagga Show.
- North Wagga and Ganmain will be playing this weekend at Maher Oval for the Peter McCoullough Riverina Championship Trophy and $2000.
- Newly elected Chairman of the Wagga Pastures Protection Board, Mr A E Sinclair and director Mr A P Palmer are pictured congratulating Mr E E “Curly” Heckendorf, who has retired after 24 years at the Wagga Pastures Protection Board.
- Meagher’s are advertising Bushell’s Coffee, 150g for $1.35, Maclean’s Toothpaste, 110g for 53 cents and Betty Sydney Cake Mixes for 29 cents.
- The Mount Erin Presentation Ex-students Association is holding its annual reunion at Mount Erin. Afternoon tea will be served, and for the first time this year there will be an impromptu dinner party.
- More than 100 scouts and leaders from Wagga, Coolamon and Junee participated in the annual Scouting Activity Weekend at Camp Kurrajong.
- More than 300 people attended the Tolland Sporting Club’s first ball, during which senior presentations were made by club patrons, Ald Bruce Hedditich, Mr Jim Sullivan and Mr Jack Geaghan.
- Five people were rushed to Wagga Base Hospital after a spectacular head-on collision on Lake Road near the intersection with Copland Street.
- The Wagga Olympic Pool has reopened, but only six swimming club members turned up to brave the cold water.
- The bicycle track at the Wagga Cricket Ground will be back in use this week after being out of action for 15 years, with the Wagga Police Citizens Boys Club staging about 20 races for midgets, juveniles and seniors.
- Member for Sturt, Mr Tim Fisher, asked for an assurance that daylight saving would not extend beyond the four months already approved.
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
