Lost Wagga Wagga (2024)

08/12/2023

Always a good crowd at the Eric Weissel Oval to watch organised sport. The oval opened in 1959 and was the scene of numerous different sporting events but mainly used for rugby league. A record crowd of 11,685 saw Australia play Papua New Guinea here in a Rugby League World Cup match on 20th July, 1988. The oval and Leagues Club in the background are now gone and the site is being developed for housing. (Sharing a Museum of the Riverina photo)

07/12/2023

Military personnel marching north along Baylis St, possibly an early Anzac Day parade, c1950. On the left, on the southeast corner of Morrow St, is Great Southern Motors, then Jack Bance Motorcycles, McDonough’s Advance Australia Hotel, Craig’s Tyre Service and Ernie Rae’s Garage. The Myer store now stands on this site. (Sharing a Nanny Plum photo)

06/12/2023

If you needed fresh fruit and vegetables back in the 1950s/60s, one of the places to buy them was from the Wagga Fruit Barrow run by Rocco & Gemma Cutri. The barrow is seen here set up in Tompson St, outside Auto Spares (now Audika Hearing Clinic), on the southeast corner of Baylis St. (Sharing a CSU Regional Archives photo)

05/12/2023

Former Wagga Mayor Ivan Jack getting the full driveway service from Bill Fenwick at the Greensleeves Service Station on the corner of Docker & Darlow Sts. Ivan was Mayor of Wagga from 1959 to 1966. Ivan Jack Drive was named in his honour in 1962. (Sharing a Museum of the Riverina photo)

04/12/2023

The often photographed section of Fitzmaurice St with the Wagga Court House on the corner of Sturt St, c1940s. On the opposite corner is Romano’s Hotel. Further along you can see the Criterion Hotel and Oxford Theatre/Jeremy, Browne & Cox buildings that have now been replaced. On the left a horse & cart reminder of early days in Wagga.
(Sharing a CSU Regional Archives photo)

03/12/2023

Lovely ladies from Wagga’s past.
In the centre wearing the red robe is North Wagga Anglican Church Charity Queen Norma Bance, c1940. Top right in blue is her sister Nellie. Top left in blue is Peggy McPherson (from the McPherson Peoples Butchery family). Norma & Nellie are daughters of Jack & Nell Bance. Jack had motorcycle shops in Fitzmaurice and Baylis Sts. On the far left is Hazel King (later Robinson). Flower girl in yellow on the left is Joy McDonald. Sitting on the right is Brian McPherson.
(Sharing a photo from Dianne Platt, Norma’s daughter. The photo came from Ernest Tooley Studios, Wagga)

02/12/2023

Best St, at the corner of Edward St, looking south towards the rail overpass and Wagga High School in the background. No traffic lights, just turning guide lines painted on the road. Wagga’s first set of traffic lights were installed here in 1967. (Sharing a CSU Regional Archives photo)

01/12/2023

On 3rd October, 1916 the Crystal Cordial Company announced it was open for business in Travers St. Their “Pinnacle Carbonator connected with McGarray’s Patent Saturators and Shields Bottling Machine” required only one operator. In 1929 the company proudly advised they brewed Hop Beer, a non alcoholic beverage “without equal” showing it was “wholesome & invigorating” on the label. Another great contribution to Wagga’s past.(Sharing Kerry Walton photos & a Daily Advertiser ad)

30/11/2023

One of the best street parades in Wagga was the Centenary Parade held on 21st March, 1970, celebrating 100 years of local government. Just a few of the floats are seen here turning out of Baylis St onto Edward St. The float in the top photo is the Miss Wagga entry. Bottom left is the Wagga City Library bookworm. On the corner in the background is the Malvern Star Electrical Appliance Store. (Sharing Museum of the Riverina photos)

29/11/2023

Workmen getting a job done in Edward St, near the corner of Baylis St, in the 1950s. The Wagga Hotel on the corner of Station Place is in the background. The Wagga Hotel was replaced by the Astor Hotel in 1961. (Sharing a CSU Regional Archives photo)

28/11/2023

Les Peacock established his furniture business in 1920. His shop at 111-113 Baylis St was described in 1941 as having “a thousand requirements of every household displayed for your inspection”. The store was passed on to his son Harold. Bottom left shows Olsen & Sons next door and Hardy’s Hardware in the background. (Sharing photos from Les’s grandson Clark Bunt)

27/11/2023

70 years ago today, on the 28th November, 1953, the Wagga Wagga City Baths were officially opened. It became the summer destination for most local kids to meet up with friends. Shown here is a great Daily Advertiser aerial of the pools shortly after the opening. The front page of the DA after the opening is shown in the comments below. (Sharing a DA photo from the Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society)

26/11/2023

Howzat!! Calling for an umpire’s decision at a cricket match at the Wagga Cricket Ground around sixty years ago, unfortunately no details of the day. (Sharing a Museum of the Riverina photo)

25/11/2023

Looking north along Baylis St, c1940s. On the right, on the northeast corner of Forsyth St, is Carmody’s Royal Hotel. The hotel closed in December, 1978 and was replaced by the Sturt Mall in 1979. Other businesses past the hotel include; B G Hartwig’s Garage & Car Sales, Reg Hylands Antique Store, Billiards Hall, Alan Harris Funeral Parlour, Fearne & Sons Triangle Service Station and the Plaza Theatre. (Sharing an Ivan Piercy photo)

24/11/2023

Another contribution to Wagga’s past came from the versatile plumbing firm Anderson & Lamont in Baylis St.
Joe Anderson and John Lamont’s shop is seen here in 1914. In addition to doing installations and repairs they also carried a range of goods for sale, as shown below.

23/11/2023

A couple of terrific views of marching girls heading north along Baylis St, passing the corner of Tompson St, in the 1960s. Castles Hardware in the background on the southwest corner. (Sharing photos from the Michael Georgiou Slide Collection)

22/11/2023

A relatively recent loss in Wagga occurred in the early hours of 5th January, 2019. A fire started in the old section of the Wagga Wagga Public School, at the top of the hill, on the Simmons St side. Unfortunately 6 classrooms and 2 offices were completely destroyed. (Sharing Prime 7 News photos)

21/11/2023

The Commercial Motor Garage on the northern side of Sturt St, opposite the old Police Station. The garage was run by Hope Oxley from the 1920s until February, 1945 when he sold the business to Ernest West and his sons Robert and Frederick who traded as E W West & Sons. Across the lane, next door, is the Commercial (now Romano’s) Hotel. In the background, on the left, is David Copland’s store in Fitzmaurice St. (Sharing a Museum of the Riverina photo)

20/11/2023

Those fantastic bumper boats and the Water Whizz at the Wagga Beach. The rides provided many hours of summer fun for tourists and the young people of Wagga. The Water Whizz was moved to the Wagga City Baths in 1992 and renamed the Rippa Slippa.
(Sharing Bill Douglas photos)

19/11/2023

Back in the late 1950s Lake Albert Public School students were given lessons on basic road rules/safety. It certainly looks like a fun way to learn. They were very “hands on” lessons using pedal cars sponsored by Wagga businesses, including; Huthwaites, David Jones, All Cars, Don Jones Tyre Service, Douglas Body Co, Sid Nash & Sons and Thomas Bros. In the centre of the bottom right photo, just above the Douglas Body Co car, is Fred Hay in the Sid Nash & Sons vehicle. (Sharing Brian Lynch photos provided by Fred Hay)

18/11/2023

A seldom seen view of the Hampden Bridge, taken from a boat on the Murrumbidgee.
This one comes courtesy of the Wagga Rescue Squad, showing Bruce Peck and George Belling just upstream from the bridge during a flood, year unknown.

17/11/2023

Public transport in Wagga around sixty years ago. Catching a bus to Lake Albert.
(Sharing a Museum of the Riverina photo)

16/11/2023

Over the past 70 years we’ve seen a few changes to the shop on the corner of Docker & Albury Sts. Some of those changes are shown here, starting with Gilbert’s Cash Store in 1950, then Kyle & Lorraine Mathew’s Cash Store, Stevo’s Corner Store (later run by Nobby & Laurel Geale then Bob Rudd), Deborah Bartholomew’s Wagga Inner Beauty and Just Better Care in 2020. (Sharing photos from Carol Ann Hassall & Cathryn Rava)

15/11/2023

Looking down on the Wagga Railway Station around a hundred years ago. In the background is the Mt Erin Convent and High School. To the right is the road bridge over the rail lines at the end of Edmondson St. Bottom right is Wright Heaton’s transport depot in Flinders St. (Sharing a CSU Regional Archives photo)

14/11/2023

Another contributor to Wagga’s past was Walter McKenzie who ran the Wagga Wall Paper House in Baylis St in the early 1900s. Walter was a very versatile man, he advertised as being a house decorator, painter, wallpaper hanger, glazier, sign writer, picture framer, upholsterer & furniture repairer. In his spare time Walter also played in the local cricket competition, some of that time as captain of the Newtown Club.

13/11/2023

The rare sight of water pouring out of the entrance to the Wagga Wagga Country Club on Plumpton Rd. The creek running through the golf course had flooded after more than 2 inches (50 mil) of rain fell in just half an hour on 22nd March, 1969. This certainly gave new meaning to the golf term “water hazard”.
Similar instances of flash flooding were reported throughout the city and surrounding district.
(Sharing a Daily Advertiser photo)

12/11/2023

If you weren’t around to remember how it was, this is Fitzmaurice St looking north from the top of the hill in the late 1960s. Coles, Hunters, David Jones and Dean’s Pharmacy on the corner of Gurwood St. (Sharing a City of Wagga Wagga photo)

11/11/2023

Wagga probably hasn’t had many hospital matrons who rode a horse to work so meet Edith Peacock. Edith is pictured at the old Wagga District Hospital (renamed Base Hospital in 1937) where she was appointed as Matron on 14th January, 1924. Matron Peacock held the position until her resignation became effective on 30th November, 1928. (Sharing a Wagga Wagga Library photo from the Base Hospital collection, coloured by Robert Crowe)

10/11/2023

Riding home on another wet day in Wagga, c1950s? This was a time when most kids walked or rode a bike wherever they went in town. These three, led by Alan Witt, are heading north along Fitzmaurice St, outside the Crown Corner Cafe (now Uneke) on the corner of Kincaid St. In the background are Douglas Body Co and the Duke of Kent Hotel. (Sharing a Museum of the Riverina photo)

09/11/2023

Construction of the first motel in Wagga, The Club Motel in Morgan St at the end of Fitzhardinge St. The 35 room motel was built by local firm Buckman & Son for $110,000. It was opened on 1st December, 1955 with Else Hill as Manager. The Club Motel is still operating today. (Sharing CSU Regional Archives photos & info)

08/11/2023

Another view from Willans Hill, this one taken way back during the flood of 1891. On the left is the rail viaduct. In the centre is the original Farmers Home Hotel (established 1856) on the corner of, what is now, Hammond Ave & Lake Albert Rd. (Sharing a Marie Hladun photo from Sheree Miller)

07/11/2023

Tom Wood Drive at the Botanic Gardens, 1968. Pictured are siblings; Clara Maskell, James Wood, Tom Wood & Helen Errey.
Tom was a Wagga City Council Gardener who was curator at the Botanic Gardens for seven years, up to the official opening in August,1968, overseeing landscaping and the planting of 600 various species on the 9 hectare site. Tom passed away in March,2013 aged 94. The results of his dedication and hard work in those early years can still be seen in the beautiful gardens maintained today. (Sharing a City of Wagga Wagga photo)

06/11/2023

Showing how it used to be done.
Another great tree trimming shot, this one in Kincaid St in the 1960s. All you needed was a ladder and a hand saw.
On the left are the verandahs of Edmondstone’s General Store and Hyland’s Butchery on the corner of Beckwith St. Diagonally opposite is the Wagga Cricket Ground and on the right is the verandah of the Sportsmens Club Hotel. (Sharing a CSU Regional Archives photo)

05/11/2023

Before refrigeration was commonplace the men working at the Murrumbidgee Co-Operative Dairy were kept busy delivering ice to Wagga homes and businesses. The large blocks (being moved, bottom right, by Jack Bitz at the Dairy on Hammond Ave) were cut into various sizes to fit different ice chests that kept perishables & drinks cold. The Riverina Express newspaper reported the number of blocks sold in Wagga dropped from an average 400 per week in February, 1959 to 280 per week in February, 1960. The number sold continued to fall and eventually all deliveries ceased. Jack Bitz’s daughter Denise Green advises he had his left index finger severed while cutting blocks of ice with an electric saw. (Sharing photos from the CSU Regional Archives)

04/11/2023

Looking down on Bolton Park, just prior to the Queens visit in February, 1954. The oval was given the name Robertson Oval in May,1963. Surrounding the oval are; at the top, the bowling greens for the South Wagga Sports & Bowling Club (now the PCYC building), Wagga Croquet Club and Wagga City Baths. Below; what became known as the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre. (Sharing a City of Wagga photo)

03/11/2023

In 2001 the one time general store at 10 Best St was transformed into Cafe Lulaba by Viv & Bruce Barter (pictured). It was taken over by Kay & Brian Stokes in 2004 then converted into The Blessed Bean coffee shop in 2011. The shop has now been trading as Larry’s since 2021. (Sharing a Karen Bailey photo & information)

02/11/2023

A bullock team heading south along Fitzmaurice St between Crampton & Kincaid Sts. On the left is John Manton’s Tattersalls Hotel, built in 1878. On the right is Burgess & Mitchell’s shoeing forge. William Burgess and William Mitchell had their partnership dissolved in April, 1889 so we can date this photo sometime before then. Mitchell continued the business on the same site with new partner Patrick Hehir but unfortunately William died on 21st November, 1890.

01/11/2023

A fairly large temporary levee bank blocking off the end of Johnston St to hold back floodwaters in August,1974. The flood was one of Wagga’s highest, peaking at 10.74m (35ft 3in). Behind the levee is the entrance to the Wagga Beach and Tourist Caravan Park. In front of the levee is Kim Rugari with Melissa Quinn and her brother. (Sharing a Melissa Quinn photo)

31/10/2023

In the early 1900s the hotel on the the corner of Fitzmaurice & Sturt Sts was known as Bellair’s Commercial Hotel. It is seen here c1910, including a rare look inside at one of the bars. The name was changed to Romano’s Hotel when Azzalin Romano took over in 1946. (Sharing Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society and F Harris photos)

30/10/2023

The Greek Community has always played a much appreciated major role in the development of Wagga. This photo was taken on the weekend of 28th & 29th November, 1970. The occasion was the Official Pastoral Visit to Wagga by His Eminence Archbishop Ezekiel, of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia, for the appointment of Fr Nicholas Scordilis as the first Rector of the Wagga Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Our Lady the Theotokos.
Standing LtoR; Cafe owner Gerry Tsipiras & Jim Christodoulou (members of the Executive Committee of the Greek Community), Dr Farmey Joseph (respected Wagga doctor), Fr Gerry Ivorson (Catholic Priest), Theo Andronicus (Greek Community President), Wagga businessman Michael Georgiou (Greek Community Secretary) & Fr Nicholas. Sitting; Rt Reverend Francis Carroll (Bishop of Wagga) & Archbishop Ezekiel. (Sharing a Greek Orthodox Church & Community of Wagga photo)