December 5, 2025 by Peter Gissing · Leave a Comment (Edit)
3rd January 2026
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- An extra 20 police were on duty on New Years Eve to ensure that drunken behaviour did not ruin New Year celebrations.
- Wagga’s road toll defied the State trend last year with seven people dying in seven crashes compared to 13 deaths from 10 crashes 1n 1999.
- Bell ringers at St Johns Anglican Church, Phil Towers and Margaret Nichol put their bell ringing skills to work to join a national celebration of the centenary of Australia’s Federation.
- Brother Arthur Givney and Father Thomas Cassanova of the Confraternity of Christ had some fun on a Waverunner jet ski at Lake Albert which will be raffled to raise money to aid in the building of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at Thurgoona.
- Wagga motorists are welcoming a petrol price war with Paul Seaman owner of the Swift service station in Fitzmaurice Streer, lowering the price of unleaded petrol to 95.9 cents per litre.
- Local scooter riders over the age of 12 have been warned they face fines of more than $40 if they fail to wear a helmet in a public place.
- Zoe Savage who began nursing 45 years ago and spent 30 years at Wagga Base Hospital including 17 years in the emergency ward has retired.
- Rebecca Lee won a Daewoo car in a promotion at the Thomas Blamey Tavern.
- Wagga cyclists Michelle Fearne and Richard Moffatt are eagerly anticipating their first contest in international company at the Sydney Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney next week.
- Robyn Paton, Gay Karas, Debbie Burton, George Car and Mark Childe from the Wagga branch of the Asthma Foundation are pictured preparing for an asthma conference to be held in Wagga in March.
- Mick and Nadia Humphries recently relocated their truck driver training business to Wagga where they see a strong demand for drivers to be licensed for B-doubles and road trains.
- McDonalds Wagga and Wagga Central are advertising that 30 cent cones and EFTPOS are now available.
- Tourist Officer, Laurene King, said that the Wagga Visitors Centre had recorded a 30 per cent increase of people using the centre for the two-week Christmas period.
- Wagga’s weather in 2000 was characterised by above average rainfall, fewer frosts and more fog than usual.
- Three Wagga hotels have been fined a total of $14,000 for six breaches of licensing laws.
50 Years Ago
- Wagga Association captain, Stan Dacey is pictured holding the symbol of cricket supremacy in the Riverina – the O’Farrell Cup after piloting Wagga to yet another win over Narrandera.
- Wagga Cricket Association had very little trouble in retaining the Hedditch Cup against Coolamon-Ganmain at Gissing Oval.
- Senior Constable, Ron Kitson, who makes up one half of the Wagga Highway Patrol motorcycle squad has been transferred to Sydney after 14 years in Wagga.
- Town Clerk Mr W R Ellis advises that the Wagga Bathing Beach is now patrolled by a Beach Inspector and Lifesaver from 11am to 7pm daily until the end of January.
- After years of study and hard work, 18-year-old Miss Jennifer Castle is leaving Wagga this week to join the West Australian Ballet Company in Perth.
- Frances Dominguez is pictured riding a Velo bicycle Stavble which features a steering wheel, one of five such French bicycles ever made.
- Johnny Garfield and the sound of Legato are featured this Saturday night and Sunday Smoko at the Wagga Leagues Club.
- Miss Jean Nancarrow, adult Guide leader at the First Turvey Park Girl Guide Company will represent New South Wales Guides at the Guides Adult Adventure Session in Mexico.
- Winners were drawn for the top prizes in the Wagga and District Chamber of Commerce Community Advancement competition with Mr M Webb winning a trip for two to America and Mr and Mrs J A Terry winning a colour television.
- Kyeamba Shire advises that the Gumly Gumly Rubbish Depot will close permanently on the 10th ofJanuary. A new depot has been opened off Braehour Lane north of the Sturt Highway at Forest Hill.
- The Commerce Permanent Building Society is offering 8.5% interest on savings accounts.
- Work has begun on the first stage of the multi sporting complex at Bolton Park.
- Huthwaites are holding a One Sock Sale with socks selling for just 10 cents each.
- The Wagga Magpies’ Rugby League Club in conjunction with the Sportsman’s Hotel presented a cheque for $306 to the Home of Compassion.
- New South Wales Polo Association has granted permission to the Riverina Polo Club based at Tarcutta to stage its first official tournament in Wagga.
- Commercial Women’s Bowling Club’s singles championship has been won by Norma Richardson for the second time defeating Mrs I Stockwell.
- Jim Sibree, Wagga City Council Development Officer recommended that Council purchase and develop 20 acres of Industrial land in the Ashmont – Riverina Australian Football Club area.
- The Riverina sweltered with temperatures soaring above the 38 degrees (100F) mark with Hay topping 42 degrees (107F)
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