October 9, 2026 by Peter Gissing · Leave a Comment(Edit)

Compiled from the Daily Advertiser by the Wagga Wagga & District Historical Society.

25 Years Ago

• The founder of Wagga’s Kendell Airlines, Don Kendell, has died aged 71.

• After six years, a project involving 61 students at Wagga High School together with local veterans has created a virtual museum on CD, detailing the history of Wagga World War II veterans.

• Member for Wagga, Kay Hull and Wagga’s director of Catholic Schools, Steve Marchant, welcomed a grant of almost $2 million to secure construction of Wagga’s new Catholic high school to be located on grounds adjacent to Mater Dei Primary School.

• Detailed plans have been completed, and a revised development application has been lodged with Wagga City Council for a motel at the Wagga Commercial Club, on land currently occupied by the bowling clubhouse and two lawn bowling greens.

• Graham McDonald was awarded reserve grade best and fairest and Adam Jack first grade best and fairest at the North Wagga Saints presentation function held at their clubrooms at McPherson Oval.

• Riverina TAFE campus spokeswoman, Setchen Brimson, is appealing for local entrants in the Riverina Cooks Challenge, which is now only one week away.

• David Barnhill, Mick Small, Dan Holder, Dave Watts, Dave Mundy and Mick McPherson are pictured at the William Farrer Hotel after stitching up a two-year sponsorship deal for the Wagga City Rugby Club with the hotel.

• Long service awards were presented to Kurrajong Waratah employees, Nicky Fletcher, Paul Duck and Kevin Ritzau by Kurrajong Waratah chairman, Michael Kennedy.

• Henry Brunskill, aged 10, is pictured putting on the Wagga Country Club practice green.

• Joan Saboisky is pictured preparing for a prayer for peace night to be held at the San Isadore Catholic Church.

• John Mitchell, Greg Condon, Lyndon Benecke, Bill Swain and Mark Garroway are pictured attending the Wagga Waratahs’ presentation banquet at Romano’s Hotel.

• Tourism Wagga manager, Luke Grealy, has backed a push by local clubs to host the annual Clubs New South Wales Conference in 2003.

• The threat of legal action failed to buckle Wagga City Council’s resolve last night to reject a development application for a sex shop in the heart of Baylis Street.

• Only eight nominations have been received for the 10-member board of the Wagga Leagues Club headed by life-member-president Brian Lawrence.

• Bendigo Bank, led by manager Craig Taylor, is celebrating its first birthday in Wagga at 112 Baylis Street.

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50 Years Ago

• Cr R F Harris, John Kellett, Ray Laughton, Ald Brian Allen, Joe Schipp and Senior Constable Kevin Jones are pictured discussing flood emergency plans as Murrumbidgee River Levels are expected to rise.

• The Murrumbidgee River reached a peak of 30ft 10 inches, cutting some roads at North Wagga and the Eunony Bridge.

• President of the Riverina Australian Rules Football Club since 1972, Bert Schmidt is stepping down as club president and will not seek re-election to the board of directors.

• Wagga Rugby League president, Mr Arthur Dixon, presented the Wagga Magpies best and fairest award to halfback Michael Geale at the Wagga Leagues Club.

• Sid Ward of the Wagga and District Radio Club is pictured with Scouts and Cubs from Wagga, Junee and Coolamon participating in the annual worldwide Jamboree-On-The-Air.

• Sam Scollo is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of his arrival in Australia from Sicily.

• Iris Measday and Pat Harmon from the Quota Club of Wagga presented a cheque for $217 raised at the Club’s Camelia Show to Reg Howard from St Vincent de Paul.

• Riverina Area President of Rural Youth, Ken Robinson, presented the Area Rural Youth Shield to Ian Donaldson, Downside Club President.

• Steven Batkin was named as the Magpies first grade Rugby League team’s best back for the 1972 season at the Club’s annual presentation night at the Wagga Leagues Club.

• More than 150 Scouts and Cubs celebrated the 60^th birthday of Cubbing throughout the world at Camp Kurrajong on the Oura Road.

• The Wagga Quota Club presented a cheque for $1200 to the Wagga Toy Library, which will be known as the Noah’s Ark Toy Library.

• Mrs Heather Marks, who has been at the Haven for 16 years, was farewelled at a presentation ceremony attended by 70 residents and staff.

• The centenary of the building of St John’s Church of England will be celebrated this weekend.

• A total of 78 applications have been received for the position of Stadium manager at the new Bolton Park sporting complex.

• Wagga sportsman Mark Gallagher has retained the Wagga Squash Club men’s open singles championship, defeating Mike Measday in straight sets.

• Miss Jan Mason won the senior speech and drama championship at the City of Wagga 1976 Eisteddfod.

• Douglas Arthur Swan, the former Director of Education in the Riverina, has been appointed New South Wales Director General of Education.

• The annual conference of the 31^st District of Quota International is being held in Wagga over three days this week.

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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