20th December 2025
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- The Cec Toy Memorial Trust donated $10,000 to be shared between three local charities: the Salvation Army, the Smith Family and St Vincent de Paul.
- Wagga’s Athol Street Christmas light displays were switched on for their fourteenth year.
- Maria and John Egan handed over presents to the Salvation Army from their annual Studio Image Christmas Appeal.
- Long-serving Junee High School teacher and deputy principal, Barry Cottam and Librarian, Margaret Morrison are both retiring this week.
- Wagga Chamber of Commerce president and Marketplace shopping centre, Steve Atkinson, said that Christmas shopping was going well and that the next six days would be the busiest of the year.
- Dennis Bishop, representing Kooringal Rotary made donations of $1000 to each of three Wagga charities the Salvation Army, the Smith Family and St Vincent de Paul.
- After 12 years as principal of Mangoplah Public School, Mark Crouch is being transferred to Temora West Public School.
- Three employees at Wesfarmers Dalgety, Ben Hogg, Greg Curtis and Anthony Diprose shaved their heads to raise more than $4,000 for the radiotherapy appeal.
- Nola McRae retired at Mater Dei Catholic Primary School after a career which has spanned more than four decades.
- Well known Wagga identity, Wal Blake is the latest sporting identity to receive an Australian Sports Medal
- New licensee of the Black Swan Hotel, Mike Fraunfelder and his son Sam are preparing to officially take over on January 1.
- The Bishop of the Wagga Catholic Diocese, the Most Reverend William Brennan celebrated 40 years in the priesthood this week with Mass followed by a lasagne dinner.
- Director of Nursing, Robyn Byron and deputy nursing director Ruth Rathbone from the Loretto Home of Compassion are pictured with Member for Riverina, Kay Hull and chairman of the board, Horrie Rex displaying certificates of accreditation.
- Two Wagga students have been placed first in the State in their respective Higher School Certificate courses. Rebecca Taylor from Mount Austin High School topped the State in 2 unit general computing studies while Victoria Hughes at the Riverina campus of TAFE topped the State in Math 2 units in practice.
- Wagga City Council will pay $150,000 to settle a long running wage dispute with three unions representing council staff, after an industrial barrister advised council that it would cost more than $150,000 to challenge the claim in court.
- Wagga City Council revealed extra costs of $512,000 for the civic centre were due to a continuing legal dispute between council and the builder, Colin Joss and Company.
- The Riverina radiotherapy appeal has passed its target of $3 million, three months ahead of time.
50 Years Ago
- Mr Wal Fife was officially declared the winner of the Federal election in Farrer with 49.67per cent of primary votes followed by Pat Brassil with 30.4%.
- Rava’s are celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a $6000 spectacular prize giveaway.
- Huthwaites are advertising Sao biscuits for 25 cents, Pioneer Jelly Crystals for 12 cents each and Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky, 750ml for $7.65.
- Miss Rhonda Bell, president of the Wagga Quota Club presented Captain Bruce Buckmaster from the Salvation Army with a cheque for $850 to be used in the construction of a welfare complex in Edward Street.
- Glen McCarroll won the Riverina point score, solo, short circuit, motorcycle champion sponsored by Steve Spencer at the City Jeanery and Peter Walsh, Wagga Kawasaki dealer.
- Only portion of a cement wall remained standing after a raging fire destroyed a Wagga timber joinery owned by the three Jenkins brothers in Mortimer Place.
- Work is continuing at the Tarcutta Street underpass which is expected to be complete by March next year.
- The future of Gundagai’s Niagara Cafe, opened in 1919, by the Castrission family is undecided after a fire raced through the cafe shortly before midnight.
- Mr Bernard Francis Weir, who was associated with all forms of swimming in Wagga and the Riverina died at his home this week.
- The Wagga Women’s Refuge has received a government grant of $9573 expected to cover 90% of their operational expenses for the 1976-76 year.
- Mr Sam Hutchinson and Mr Grant Slocum made presentations to Mr Horrie Logan, the former secretary-manager of the Wagga City Bowling Club at his farewell.
- Mr Graham Irons, president of the Wagga Chamber of Commerce and manager of Hunters said that Wagga businesses have reported near record sales in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.
- A total of 2782 people were unemployed in the Riverina last month which is 1267 people more than in November last year.
- The Ladysmith Memorial Hall annual flower show was highly successful both socially and financially.
- Wagga City Council has been offered a $184,000 loan for the purchase of land to develop a Glenfield Industrial Estate.
- The official opening of the Shared Church Building at Boree Creek will take place next Sunday.
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
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