January 2, 2026 by Peter Gissing · Leave a Comment (Edit)
17th January 2026
Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.
25 Years Ago
- A blown tyre is believed to be the cause of a single vehicle accident on the Hume Highway which injured five people including two children flown to Westmead Children’s Hospital with head injuries.
- There were long delays as police blocked the Hume Highway to ensure the safety of firefighters and those travelling near fire fronts at Tarcutta.
- Stewart Graham is pictured outside the 1st Lake Albert Scout Group Hall in Angel Street which was destroyed by a firebug.
- Brazilian student, Diogo Thailer arrived to begin a 12-month Rotary Exchange program in Wagga.
- Chairman of the Wagga Australia Day committee, Cedric Thomas and Wagga City Council director of recreational and cultural services, Kerry Geale are pictured discussing arrangements for 100th Anniversary of Federation celebrations with Steve Hooper and Nelson Oakley from the Kapooka Army Band.
- Students from the 14th Riverina Summer School for Strings performed at their final concert in the Wagga Civic Theatre.
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President, Steve Atkinson said Wagga is missing a big chance to establish and develop as a major transport and trucking centre.
- The Wagga Warriors comprising 24 players from the under 15s and under 16s representing the Wagga and District Cricket Association have flown out for a ten-day tour of Tasmania.
- Wagga’s highest honour – Freedom of the City – has been granted to the crew of HMAS Wagga which proudly carried the city’s name for 20 years.
- Doctors across the Riverina are threatening to resign from public hospitals over the spiralling cost of medical indemnity insurance.
- Mrs Joy Cox, a tireless worker, former president and life member of the Spastic Centre’s Wagga and District Council has died.
- The Riverina is continuing to swelter with temperatures reaching 45 degrees in Hay and 40 degrees in Wagga.
- A decision by Charles Sturt University to scrap its Fine Arts course in Wagga has angered existing students who have vowed to fight the move.
- Spotlight is undergoing a major expansion of its Wagga store refurbishing the former Lincraft building located next to its current premises opposite Grace Bros.
- Well known Wagga Chef, Kevin Lewis who has completed 25 years as Wagga Commercial Club chef and catering manager will be honoured at a special function.
- A Wagga man who spat on a police car was told in Wagga Court that his matter would be dealt with after he washed three police cars.
50 Years Ago
- A five-part site plan for Base Hospital was released by member for Wagga, Joe Schipp with Hospital Board chairman, Mr L J Kennedy explaining that buildings would be limited to two and three stories to allow convenient staging.
- Visitors from numerous South Pacific countries attending the second international training course in crop protection and horticulture were tendered a mayoral reception by Wagga’s Mayor Ald Dick Gorman.
- The Dean of Wagga Agricultural College, Dr Barie Thistlewayte has given an assurance that the college will continue to function under its old name after it is combined with the Riverina College of Advanced Education.
- Bruce Mathew who had been promoted to the O’Farrell Cup cricket team is pictured after taking seven wickets in last week’s competition.
- “Restaurant Allonville” next door to Murray Cod Hatcheries is advertising a relaxed atmosphere, extended cocktail bar, excellent new chef and young management and staff.
- Kendell Airlines who have operated a regular air service between Wagga and Melbourne for over four years have introduced a larger Lycoming Heron aircraft capable of carrying up to 17 passengers on the route.
- The Terror-ific Midnight Spooks Convention commences at Hoyts Drive-In at midnight on Sunday and features the “Nude Vampire” and “The Reincarnate”.
- Huthwaites is selling Kellog’s Corn Flakes 500g for 55 cents, Leetona prunes 340g for 49 cents and six cakes of Sunlight soap for 83 cents.
- One of Wagga’s best known priests Father Phillip Mel Roach, Parish Priest at South Wagga has been transferred to Lockhart and will be farewelled by parishioners at the Marian Hall after Sunday Evening Mass.
- The average price of a fully serviced residential block of land in Wagga increased last year (1975) by $1939 or 36%.
- Wagga breeder, Noel Hedditch, making his first visit to New Zealand, paid $29,500 Australian for a filly at the national yearling sale held at Trentham New Zealand.
- Wagga Country Golf Club has strongly criticised Wagga City Council works currently in progress near the northern end of Lake Albert which will completely cut off Stringy Bark Creek from Lake Albert.
- There are now 100 novice golfers taking advantage of a special $12 membership for their first twelve months being offered by the Wagga Country Golf Club.
- An Albury based timber mill has relocated to the abandoned mill at Humula which has been shut down since November.
- Former Wagga schoolboy tennis star, Garry Staines gained his first major tournament success in the United States by winning the Illinois men’s singles championship.
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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