Wagga Wagga’s history is about to come to life in a rare collection of images and records as the city prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary. Step inside a time machine and travel back to the birth of our city.
March 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of Wagga Wagga being proclaimed a ‘borough.’ On 15 March 1870, Wagga’s population of 1000 people was officially recognised as a township, with its first council formed.
Wagga Wagga City Council is preparing a public exhibition presenting the civic and social histories, events, people and places of what is now the Wagga Local Government Area.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said the anniversary was a perfect time to pause and reflect on Wagga’s transformation from a small town to a thriving regional city.
“So many of us love this city but may be unaware of its history. It’s astonishing, looking back, at how much has been achieved. The vision, determination and hard work of past generations has resulted in the Wagga we know today. And that’s what we want to celebrate,” Cr Conkey said.
To prepare for the 150-year anniversary celebrations, Council’s Museum of the Riverina teamed up with Charles Sturt University Regional Archives to uncover a treasure trove of images and information dating back to 1870.
The images, together with a timeline of Wagga’s history, will be on display in the Civic Centre’s arcade from Tuesday 10 March 2020.
