Long serving, Wagga Base Hospital board member, Vince Harvey was named as Wagga's Citizen of the Year in front of a large crowd attending the official Australia Day ceremony at the Botanic Gardens.

Wagga's Young Citizen of the Year was Ben Pitstock and Australia Day Achievement Awards were presented to Margaret Hedley, Albert Burgman and Marie Thompson.

Wagga Visitor Centre manager, Roger Ansell accompanied by Allan Norris, Mark Hillis, Jim Booth and Noel Bottrell are visiting Tamworth and the Australasian Country Music Festival to investigate Tamworth's tourism success.

The Murrumbidgee Turf Club track redeveloped at a cost of $2.3 million is hosting its first meeting for 20 months.

Councillors Mary Kidson, Geoff Burch and Jim Eldridge have spoken out about the potential harm the proposed $13 million Sturt Mall redevelopment could cause to existing small businesses.

Group Captain David Judge drew Arthur Nixon's name from 30,000 entries in the Kurrajong Waratah Annual Art Union watched by chairman of the board of directors, Michael Kennedy and development manager, Cathie Smith.

Commins Hendriks solicitor, Glen Lollback has been certified as the first property law accredited solicitor in the district.

Wagga Public School, Japanese language teacher, Greg Smith is leaving for a 12-month teacher exchange with a school in Tokyo, Japan.

Wagga City Council is considering a $1000 reward for residents who help police to track down vandals.

The Police Citizens Youth Club is providing after school care at the Tolland Glenfield Neighbourhood Centre on school days from 3pm to 6pm.

David and Fran Payne at Gateway bookshop are advertising in the Daily Advertiser their extensive range study guides, educational books and children's books.

Leading teacher at Wagga High School, Lee Wright, said work was to begin this week on major upgrades and extensions to cost $4.8 million.

Interviews were conducted by the Police Service Senior Executive Board for the position of Police Patrol Commander at Wagga following the removal from the position of Inspector Kevin Wales under controversial circumstances in July last year.

Telstra Corporation, previously known as Telecom and Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) is holding its 48th annual Australia Day long weekend gathering in Wagga, with about 150 management and staff from Sydney and Melbourne attending.

Ald R. L. Brunskill has been elected for his third term as chairman of the Southern Riverina Council and Ald C. Toy for his second year as deputy chairman.

Work has begun on the Captain Cook tourist drive at Willans Hill to be opened during the centenary celebrations in March.

Edmondson's are advertising regulation school wear including boxer shorts for $1.20 a pair and King Gee matching shirts for $1.89. Girl's Summer Uniforms for Wagga schools are priced from $3.95 to $7.95.

Wagga Accountant, John Huthwaite has successfully completed the Local Government Auditors Examinations.

Speaking at a special public meeting to mark the 11th anniversary of the Wagga Branch of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr Eric Fisher that about six percent of Wagga's population were alcoholics.

Garry and Kerry Hiscock announced that they will not be able to play for Kangaroos Rugby League Club because of the pressure of business.

About 100 slaughtermen at the Wagga City Abattoir held a one-day stoppage.

Wagga darts champion, Keith Caffery defeated Australian singles champion Bill Smith at the Southern District Championship at Canberra.

President of the Riverina College of Advanced Education, interim council, Mr Peter Hastie said that Wagga Teachers College would be phased out by 1972 and become part of the new Advanced College.

As a back to school offer, Partridges Newsagency in Fitzmaurice and Baylis Streets are selling 64-page exercise books for 13 cents and 128-page exercise books for 30 cents.

Area Director of Education, Mr D. A. Swan said that High School students will be able to study sheep husbandry and wool science at the Wagga Technical College this year.

Contact Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society at www.wwdhs.org.au.

For more Wagga history visit Facebook at wagga.history.