While the city’s population has increased dramatically in the ensuing years and the celebrations may have become more secular, the way that Wagga residents celebrate Christmas has not really changed all that much.

Shopping for presents for loved ones as well as stocking up on Christmas provisions has always been an important part of the Christmas ritual in Wagga. The Wagga Wagga Advertiser of 1909 reported that popular items on the menu that year include poultry, suckling pig, game, dried and fresh fruit, pastries and sweet meats.

Christmas Eve, in particular, was a busy time for storekeepers.

December 24 was when the majority of shopping was undertaken, with merry crowds thronging the footpaths and spilling out onto the roadways as they rushed to make last minute purchases.

The evening was a time for socialising as much as shopping with many former residents returning home for the holidays (a bit like the annual pilgrimage to Romano’s of recent years). 

Crowds started to build early and by midday Fitzmaurice and Baylis streets would be densely packed with pedestrians, motor vehicles and every manner of horse-drawn vehicle.

On December 26, 1922, The Daily Advertiser described the scene as follows; “At night the footpaths resembled those of a metropolitan city. It was a gay, light-hearted crowd that made holiday under the bright electric globes and packed the shops in the quest for seasonal delicacies, toys and presents. Children were everywhere, laughing and shouting in anticipation of their Christmas gifts”.

So crowded was the main street that “police had to take charge and direct loiterers to move on.” In later years, prior to the introduction of traffic lights, the police were kept busy regulating the flow of traffic at intersections all the way along Fitzmaurice and Baylis streets.

Bands played up and down the main streets and into the side streets, and it was not unusual for some generous resident with a well stocked larder to invite a whole band into their home for supper.

This celebration of goodwill and merriment continued until 1941 when shops were no longer permitted to open late.

As is the case today, Wagga residents of earlier times spent Christmas Day celebrating with family and friends and also attending church services. In 1927, The Daily Advertiser reported record attendances at the town’s churches, with 1100 worshippers packing St Michael’s for the midnight mass, alone.

This was quite impressive considering that Wagga’s population at the time was approximately 10,000. Another 14 services were held by the various denominations on Christmas Day.

While recreational options were much more limited (no Boxing Day sales), Wagga’s citizens have traditionally utilised the day after Christmas to relax and enjoy their favourite pastimes.

Many chose to undertake outdoor pursuits such as picknicking, camping, shooting and fishing although numbers often fluctuated depending on the weather. With temperatures frequently reported around 107-109 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes it was just easier to remain in the comparative coolness of their homes rather than venture out into the oppressive heat.

The Beach provided some respite from the heat with locals and visitors, often in their thousands, lining the banks from the reserve behind St John’s almost to “Dixieland”.

Organised swimming carnivals were often held and the main beach area was patrolled by members of the Wagga Beach Lifesaving Club, resplendent in their distinctive blue and gold costumes.

Just as they are today, two of the more popular events on the Boxing Day calendar were horse racing and movies.

Early race meetings were hosted by the Licensed Victualler’s Club and held at locations such as Forest Hill and behind the Farmers Home Hotel. Patrons could also attend “picture shows” in the cool of the evening at the outdoor theatre located in the Southern Cross Gardens.

References:  Wagga Wagga Advertiser 28/12/1882, 24/12/1891, 28/12/1899, 25/12/1909, 30/12/1909, 29/12/1910; Wagga Wagga Express 28/12/1911; Daily Advertiser 26/12/1911, 25/12/1915, 27/12/1919, 26/12/1922, 27/12/1927, 25/12/1942 25/12/1946; CSU Regional Archives RW1574/97– Tom Lennon Collection.

The CSU Regional Archives are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the first Saturday of every month from 10am to 3pm. Located in the Blakemore Building on South Campus of the University, access can be gained via College Avenue or Hely Avenue.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the search room where professional archival staff can assist with enquiries. For those people unable to visit the archives in person, staff can provide a research service for straight forward enquiries for a fee of $55 per hour including copying and postage.

For further information, please phone 02 6933 4590, email archive@csu.edu.au, or visit our website at www.csu.edu.au/research/archives for a full listing of holdings and more detailed information.

The CSU Regional Archives is currently extending its opening hours to include the first Saturday of every month. This initiative has been put in place to cater for those researchers who are unable to visit the Archives on weekdays during normal business hours.

The next Saturday opening will occur on February 7, from 10am to 3pm.