In Wagga’s Past – 25 and 50 Years ago.

10th February 2024

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

25 Years Ago

• More than 400 invited guests watched Australia’s Governor General, Sir William Deane officially open Wagga’s new $16.4 million civic centre.

• Sporting hero’s, Rugby League’s, Mortimer brothers, Test cricketers Michael Slater, Mark Taylor and Geoff Lawson, champion shooter, Barney Rooke, and gymnast Ben Sutherland are among about 80 sports people to be featured in the new Museum of the Riverina’s first exhibition which opened this week at the Wagga Council Chambers site.

• Sam Scollo is pictured in the Daily Advertiser with his niece, Santina Pepe and daughters, Maria Comerford, Josie Howard, and Santina Da Roit celebrating his 95^th birthday at the Golden Seasons Restaurant.

• 257 public school and TAFE teachers gathered at the Wagga Leagues Club as part of a 24-hour strike where they voted unanimously to support their unions position.

• Opposition spokesman for Small Business and Information Technology, Barry O’Farrell officially opened the Baylis Street campaign office of Liberal Party candidate, Daryl Maguire.

• Riverina Academy of Sport netball squad members, Marsha Petzel, Brodie O’Connor, and Maree Tyndall were among 20 talented players attending a two-day training camp at Charles Sturt University.

• Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Murray Area Health Service, Karyn McPeake, made an assurance that rehabilitation beds at the Forrest Centre would not be lost to Wagga.

• Councillor Jim Eldridge credited divine intervention for his remarkable recovery from a second heart attack within days.

• Eleanor Grady was honoured with a special award for years of service to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

• Long time Department of Lands and Water Conservation Department employee, Barry Longmore was farewelled by staff at the Wagga Leagues Club.

• Rebel Mitchell is the first junior baseball player from Wagga to be selected to play for New South Wales.

• Wagga City Council director of engineering and technical services, Gary Wells said that a significant pavers to be laid as part of the Baylis Street upgrade had cracks and expert analysis was being undertaken.

• Wagga magistrate, Elaine Jacob described as “appalling” the shortage of drug and alcohol services in Wagga.

• Wagga Harness Racing Club president, John Brasier, confirmed that future meetings would be held as day meetings until lighting problems were resolved at the Wagga Showground.

• The Wagga Parkinson’s Support group held its inaugural meeting at the Horizon Club in Yathong Street.

50 Years Ago

• Rugby League supporters have reacted strongly to the 70 cents admission charge for the Marlboro Inter-City pre-season competition and to a 30 cents surcharge for admission to the new grandstand at Weissel Oval.

• Maria Hart and John Egan were married recently at St Michael’s Cathedral with Maria’s brother Rev B P Hart along with Rev T X Corrigan and Rev R Corbett conducting the service.

• Committee chairman, Lex Bittar, said that a specially prepared submission for the establishment of an Education Centre at Wagga will be presented to a public meeting this week.

• Salvatore Scollo was surrounded by 13 grandchildren at the Scollo fruit and vegetable shop and milk bar for a belated 70^th birthday celebration.

• Tony Elphick received the traditional key from his father Jim Elphick at his 21^st birthday party held recently at the Wagga Leagues Club.

• Colleen Stronach and Tom Jolley were elected as school captains at Trinity Senior High School.

• Patrick Rootes was invested as school captain and Anthony Bourke as vice-captain at St. Michael’s Regional High School.

• Wagga Women’s Bowling Club in Shaw Street has received a face-lift giving it a new image for its 110 members and making it an attractive showpiece for visitors.

• Minister for Mines and Power and Member for Wagga, Mr Wal Fife, officially opened the Houlaghan’s Creek bridge.

• In the second double shooting within a week in the Wagga district a 50-year-old mother was fatally wounded, and a 51-year-old man taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney in a serious condition.

• A total of fifteen candidates, including three women, have nominated for next month’s Wagga City Council extra-ordinary election.

• Wagga’s St Vincent de Paul Society has received more than 4000 items of clothing in its appeal for Queensland flood victims.

• Wagga residents also donated a semi-trailer load of bedding, furniture, and kitchen utensils for Queensland flood victims in a five-day appeal sponsored Wagga Lions Club.

• The Mayor, Ald M Gissing and president of the Returned Soldiers League, Mr C Knott attended the 32^nd Anniversary Ex-Prisoner’s of War Commemoration service at the Cenotaph in the Victory Memorial Gardens.

• High School teacher, Mr Pat Brassil has been re-elected as president of the Wagga branch of the Australian Labor Party.

• 122 entries have been received for the annual 27 holes Summer Tournament at the Wagga City Golf Club.

• Wagga Meals on Wheels served a record number of 10,906 meals last year, 2800 more than 1972.

• Peter Barton was elected president of the Wagga School of Arts Players Committee with Alec Nichol and Gerald Flynn elected as vice-presidents.

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