Horses played a crucial role ferrying supplies to Australian troops during World War One and carrier pigeons kept commanders in touch with soldiers fighting on the front lines. But did you know domestic cats and dogs, kangaroos and even glow worms were enlisted by Australian troops in their efforts to win the war?

Cycle racing was very popular in the late 1800s. This photo, taken in 1895 outside the Post Office shows cyclists ready to participate in one of the regular race days. Picture: CSURA RW5

CSURA don’t know when this photograph was taken but it has to be after the 1950s, because the multi-storey block was opened in 1963.  It also has to be after 1967 since Rawson Private Hospital is gone.  So our best guess at the moment is the photograph dates from the late 1960s or early 1970s.

The Wagga Court House and Post Office in 1885. The court house shown here was constructed in the mid 1850s and the post office building on top of the hill on Fitzmaurice Street, which still exists today, was built in 1885. (CSURA RW5)

Daylight saving time is upon us once again, whether we like it or not. This annual moving of the clock hands has been with us since November 1, 1971 but did you know that the first time NSW experienced daylight saving was way back in 1917?

Take a look at what was going on in Wagga this time 20 years ago. There are lots of familiar faces – is yours one of them?

The bookings deadline for the 2015 RAHS Conference at Bankstown Sports Club (Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th October) has been extended to Monday 19th October.

The first Wagga Show was first held in 1864 at the Wagga Racecourse. The present site on Bourke Street was purchased in 1885. This gathering of Show visitors was attending the Wagga Show in 1902. (CSURA RW5)

Fitzmaurice Street in the 1960s. David Jones closed in 1970, Coles variety store closed in 1979 and the ANZ Bank moved to Baylis Street in the early 1990s. Gissing’s Pharmacy moved from Fitzmaurice Street in 1998.

Google is an everyday tool used for searching for clues in our family histories.  Out of habit, most users simply type one or more keywords into the search box and take it from there.  But learning a few basic Google tips can have a significant impact on your research outcomes.