27th December 2025
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- Mount Erin school captain, Penny Stormon scooped the pool at the school’s recent presentation day being awarded the Presentation Sisters Leadership Award and dux of the school among other awards.
- Phil Hoey who manned the telephone at the Riverina Ambulance Coordination Centre was one of many Wagga residents working over the holiday break.
- Shoppers are pictured at Grace Bros one of many Wagga stores full of post-Christmas shoppers.
- In a tradition of more than 30 years, Junee and Wollundry Rotary Clubs asked Santa Claus to catch the XPT train to Junee and back and to distribute lollies to children and Christmas cards to adults on the train.
- 2000 Lions Club Christmas cakes were sold this year and the president of South Wagga Lions, John Flarrety is pictured with Christa Lindsay of La Cobbler Shoes whose business and customers were strong supporters of the Christmas cake sales.
- Highly respected teacher and World War II veteran John Alfred (Jack) Shipway died at the age of 83 after a short illness.
- Wagga model Sophie Hanna who modelled clothes by Richard Cook and jewellery by Paul Andrea at a cocktail party organised by the Carmelite Ladies Auxiliary is pictured with Jan Dulcie and Marie Wood.
- Mayor, Kevin Wales is pictured promoting the Planet Ark project to recycle Christmas cards.
- Julie Nichols, Melanie Smith, Grant Harris, Patrick Bannon, Greg Bannon and Jim Tweedle were among those attending a Rotaract social day on a Murrumbidgee River tour.
- Wagga developer, Dave McIntyre and real estate agent Geoff McGilvray are pictured inspecting the final plans for a new $3 million townhouse development to be built in Slocum Street opposite the Wagga racecourse.
- Retired Daily Advertiser bowls reporter, Charlie Brown has been awarded an Australian Sports Award.
- Wagga cycling coach, Tom Dawson, has been appointed Australian under 23 coach-manager for a tour of New Zealand next month.
- Ron Crocker from the Bridge Tavern Drive-through is pictured checking supplies of champagne in anticipation of New Year’s celebrations.
- Toys R Us is advertising Boxing Day specials including Scrabble for $21.41, a 40 cm bicycle for $68 and pre-owned PlayStation games from $15.97.
- Montezuma Mexican Restaurant is advertising a pipe band, Karaoke and Tequila-sheilas as part of their New Years Eve party.
- Wagga’s hotels and restaurants have been granted licences to trade 24 hours for five continuous days over the New Year period.
50 Years Ago
- The four-day Christmas weekend has left five dead and six persons injured in motor accidents in the Riverina.
- All police leave has been cancelled in an endeavour to eliminate any further road deaths.
- One hundred and five people were killed on Riverina roads including 29 in the Wagga district last year compared to 100 killed in 1974.
- Pioneer former principal of the Wagga Agricultural College Mr Bernard (Dick) Doman was awarded an MBE for his services to Agriculture in the Queens New Year Honours.
- Wagga Woman of the Year, Miss Trixie Read, was awarded a B.E.M. in the Queens New Year Honours for her services to the community.
- Kents Fabrics in the Australian Arcade has begun its Summer Cottons Sell Out including Table at $1.25 per metre, Cotton Crepe at $1.30 per metre and Linen-Like $1.50 per metre.
- The Pavlova Place located in the MLC building in Fitzmaurice Street is advertising pavlovas filled with in-season fruits and fresh cream.
- Downside Rural Youth office bearers for 1976 include Ian Donaldson, Val Hopwood, Kay Cummins, Julie Mack, Patti Cummins, and Phil Harvey.
- President of the Kooringal Sporting Club, Leo Berben is pictured smiling with satisfaction at the progress of the newly erected and popular centre.
- Woolworths are advertising Luv canned dog and cat foods, 400g for 20 cents each, bananas 10 for 46 cents and sides of lamb for 39 cents per lb.
- G J Fitzpatrick & Co in Gurwood Street are advertising an established Kooringal Veneer home with three spacious bedrooms for only $43,000.
- Wheat growers who have not yet finished stripping may have suffered extensive damage from soaking rain which drenched the region.
- Minister for Agriculture, Mr Bruce Cowan said that the major fall in milk sales since 1973 had been due to a loss of school milk which the previous Federal Government had discontinued.
- The Wagga and District Police Citizens Boys Club has raised more than $1000 toward their $5000 goal to restore the cycle track at the Cricket Ground.
- Alderman, Arthur Summons, will act as Wagga Area Chairman for the forthcoming Heart Fund Doorknock Appeal.
- The Mayor of Wagga, Alderman Dick Gorman will be the official starter this week for the annual scout raft race down the Murrumbidgee River from the Eunony bridge.
- An estimated 1000 people attended the funeral at Jugiong of the late Mr William Sheahan, the former member for Burrinjuck.
- President of the Wagga C.W.A. branch, Mrs Dulcie Cox welcomed a large gathering of members and friends at their final meeting for the year.
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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