5th July 2025
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- Chairman of Operation Wagga Warmth, Col Bradford said the appeal which surpassed last year’s total donations had been a tremendous success.
- After some 34 years in the police force, Senior Constable Fred Lonergan will retire from a long and distinguished career at the end of the month.
- The Wagga Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented long service awards to John Harding, John Rumens, Dennis Purcell, Michael McCormack, Shirley Doldissen and Scott and Richard Braid.
- Wagga’s Mayor Kevin Wales, Stephen Schultz, Karen McLean, Janice Saw and Ross O’Shea were among those attending the launch of the Violence Against Women is Not Our Game initiative.
- Commins Hendriks Solicitors have welcomed Michael Commins to the partnership while Harry Hendriks has retired and will become a consultant after 35 years with the partnership.
- Cattle yardings in Wagga fell dramatically earlier this week with the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) blamed for keeping farmers at home.
- Rory Patterson, Michael Chapman and Mick Beeson were among those attending the official opening of the Subbie’s bar at the Kapooka Officer’s Mess.
- Wagga and District Cricket Association again failed to fill the key positions of president and secretary at a special meeting, however two vice-presidents, Trevor Webb (senior) and Col Peisley (Junior) came to the rescue as vice-presidents.
- Westpac Wagga regional manager, Jim Redfern said that existing Westpac branches in Fitzmaurice Street would be closed and replaced by a single centralised financial centre on the corner of Morgan and Baylis streets.
- The Riverina branch of the Real Estate of New South Wales has re-elected Milton Breust as its president. He is pictured with Scott Breust, Rhonda Winson, and Chris Fitzpatrick who also filled positions.
- Wagga Schoolboy, Ryan Walsh has been selected in the under 13 New South Wales Hockey Team to contest the National Championships later this year.
- Brian Hemmings, Ray King and Doug Hill are pictured with their new book “University and Diversity” launched at the Charles Sturt University Convention Centre.
- The Murrumbidgee statistical division has one of the youngest populations in the State according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics with a median age 33.5 years for males and 34.8 for females.
- Tourism Wagga chairman, Michael Maher said that the number of people using the Tourist Information Centre in May was up 40% on last year.
50 Years Ago
- Miss Wagga, Bronwyn Lewis, is one of the Red Cross volunteers collecting money for this years Red Shield Appeal and is pictured with Wagga Mayor, Ald Gorman who was the first Wagga resident to donate to the appeal.
- Members of the Red Shield Advisory committee, Salvation Army, Captain Buckmaster, Mr Morris Gissing, Mr Jim Braid and Town Planner, Mr Sel Rawlings are pictured with architect, Stephen Halloran on the site of the Salvation Army’s new complex in Edward Street.
- Peter Higgins, vice-captain of Mount Austin High School took first place among five finalists which also included Ken Grimson, Carl Rafferty, Margaret Brassil and Clayton Strong in the Wagga Jaycees speech contest, “Youth Speaks for Australia”.
- Fay Cox from Ganmain won the title of Debutante of the Year at the Debutantes Ball held at the Police Citizens Boys Club.
- Lyn Belling and Robyn Marks have entered in the 1975-76 Miss Wagga Quest.
- Hardy’s July Clearance includes a Fryside kerosine heater for $45.95, single electric blankets from $9.95 and a Rayflow fan heater with 2 heat control for $28.95.
- The Arts Council of New South Wales will present at the Wagga Civic Theatre, “The Country Wife’, a bawdy comedy directed by John Clark.
- Wal Blake was re-elected as president at the 26th annual meeting of the Wagga and District Bowling Association.
- Staff members from the Wagga Agricultural College will soon be seconded to the Riverina College of Advanced Education as plans proceed for a merger between the two schools by January 1.
- Calvary Hospital increased admissions dramatically in the last financial year with patients admitted up 406 to 3665 and operations up 910 to 2993.
- The Wagga Community Action Group has received additional donations to continue their work at the Community Action Centre at the Esplanade.
- The Federal Government has approved a grant of $100,000 towards the establishment of a pre-school kindergarten and day long care centre on the corner of Blackmore and Moxham Streets at Ashmont.
- President of Wagga Rugby League, Mr Arthur Dixon has proposed radical changes in Group 9 with only first and reserve grade games played on Sundays with age competitions switched to Saturday on a regional basis.
- Further investigation into the provision of bicycle trails on Willans Hill and Pomingalarna reserves by Wagga City Council Superintendent of Parks and Gardens, Mr Tom Wood.
- Mr Brian Kennedy, chairman of Glenfield Estates Pty Ltd, has lodged an appeal with the local Government Appeals Tribunal against Wagga City Council’s controversial zoning development scheme favouring northern development of the city.
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
