Women of ill repute: Prostitution in Wagga Wagga 1870 - 1890

Recently an extremely valuable addition to the local studies collection at the Wagga Wagga City Library was donated by Danielle Gamble , who studied at the University of Melbourne.
Danielle has written : "Just another job? A study of prostitution in late Nineteenth Century Wagga Wagga, 1870 - 1890", as her dissertation for the award of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 2011.

Amongst her resources were Wagga Wagga's Goal Entrance Description books. The information within these records showed the pressures and poverty these women suffered, that led to the use of prostitution as a way of survival.
Ms Gamble also used material from the Daily Advertiser of the time, and the Court of Petty Sessions.

This quote from the study is most telling, illustrating the difference between how society saw these women and how the women saw themselves: " If they were taken to court and labelled a common prostitute, they would respond with 'incomprehension and at times indignation'. Whilst they might accept that they had sexual intercourse with a man for money they would refuse the inference that this made them a common prostitute." (p.38).

There were different "categories" of prostitutes : the Rowdy, the Quiet, the Common. Most prostitutes were also charged with vagrancy, drunk and disorderly, larceny, or simply behaving in a "riotous manner" (p 41). Oh, and sometimes obscene language as well.

Ms Gamble identifies a third group : the Chinese camp prostitutes, who plied their trade on the banks of the Murrumbidgee. And reveals the location of two brothels in Wagga Wagga - one in Peter Street, and another in Crampton Street.

This research document is a truly valuable and respectful insight into the real world of late 19th century Wagga Wagga , a groundbreaking work, and a refreshing reminder that Wagga Wagga's history is not so dull and respectable as it looks on the surface.

The study is currently being processed and will be available for view shortly in the local studies collection. Email me : wagga.local.studies@gmail.com with your comments, thoughts, or information.

Wagga Wagga circa 1939

The first Wagga Wagga City Council information booklets the Wagga Wagga City Library local studies collection holds are from 1938 onwards. This may not be the earliest year they were produced , but they are the first I have located in the collection.

These charming and elegant little booklets hold a wealth of historical facts and other information about the town.

In 1938, there were 1070 telephones connected ; statistics on the amount of butter produced in previous years - in 1937 , show that 1,904,507 lbs were churned out. In 1937, Wagga's population was 12,530. 29,309,800 cubic feet of gas was sold; and in 1937, there were two cases of typhoid , 35 cases of diptheria, and 11 cases of scarlet fever.

Council employed four people at the sewerage works, 8 at the gasworks, and 6 people at the cattle saleyards.

And as early as 1938 Wagga Wagga had "daily air service links with the capital cities", the journey taking one hour and forty five minutes.

An oddity mentioned in the general description of Wagga's parks and gardens is that Collin's Park had a "Zoological section". There were also black and white photographs of places of interest for a gentler era - including the business districts of Fitzmaurice and Gurwood Streets, the bathing beach, and the various parks and gardens .

Part of the charm of the booklets is that they are written in the language of the time, and with the statistics given, give a detailed picture of Wagga as it was in the 1930s, and with a little imagination it is possible to see yourself in Wagga circa late 1930s.

if you have any booklets or other information you would like to share with us - such as the creatures housed in the Collins park zoo, email me wagga.local.studies@gmail.com or ring 69269757 and leave your number and I will get back to you.

Gumi - river bank spectators - were you there?

The Wagga Wagga City Library currently has a display of photographs from the 1983 Gumi race. Come along and see if you can identify yourself in the crowds along the river bank.
Julie Mutton shares her brief but vivid memories : ...standing on a high bank (probably opposite Wagga beach) and watching the carry on by the entrants. Water bombs and flour bombs being the norm. Also some of the fanciful decorations of the craft which included balloons, flags and patchwork on the more elaborate rafts.
She also remembers having a picnic lunch out of the boot of the car.
Can you see yourself in the crowd? Or someone you know ? email me at wagga.local.studies@gmail

Gumi memories

The 2012 Gumi race is almost upon us and the Wagga Wagga City Library has put together a great little display of photographs and memorabilia from the library's collection, and artifacts kindly on loan from the Museum of the Riverina.
We have also heard from some people who have kindly shared their memories of Gumi .
Here's Chris Mutton recalling some classic Gumi goings on :
"My memories of the Gumi race are fairly scratchy as I was involved back about 1970 -1974.The Scout troop in Coolamon entered a team back then.I believe that the race started on the eastern side of Eunomy Bridge and we made our way to either the reserve just past Hamden Bridge or to the Wagga Beach. I am unsure of which.I do remember that life jackets were not used, as a lot of todays' safety requirements were definitely in use. Having said that, flour and water bombs were a necessity. We used to be bombed by watchers as we passed under the bridge as well. If the weather was hot, a dip in the river soon fixed that.From memory, the Gumis got better and faster as the years progressed as most of us started with just inner tubes and wood, there were those who were more progressive and soon paddle wheels(powered by paddle and the like were added."
Thanks Chris - and if anyone else has memories they would like to share email me at : wagga.local.studies@gmail.com

Gumi programme 1984

This amusing cover of the 1984 Gumi programme shows that feminism hadn't reached this part of the world just yet. It's cringeworthy now but at the time the image was probably considered unremarkable. The Wagga Wagga City Library has a handful of programmes , all of them containing basically the same information , including a list of festival events, advertising from local sponsors and a map of the race route.
This programme also has a bonus selection of captioned photographs from previous races.

Interestingly 1984 was the year an alcohol ban was introduced and "hard missiles" were also banned from the race itself. The "Life- be in it" message, introduced by the government in 1978, was incorporated into the general ethos of the festival by the organisers, presenting the race and associated events as good wholesome fun for the whole family.

any comments ? email wagga.local.studies@gmail.com

Civic Theatre memorabliia

The Wagga Wagga City Library local studies collection
has an incomplete number of civic theatre programmes dating from when the theatre opened in 1963 up to 2007.
The programmes are interesting from a historical and design perspective. The two shown here are productions presented by Wagga High school sometime between 1968-1970. The cover designs reflect the overall visual design look of the period, using bright colors and bold lines.
Theatre programmes could be of great interest to family historians as they list the cast, crew and directors of the productions.
Were you in either of these productions and what were your memories ? or if you were in the audience, what do you remember about the night- a favourite line, actor scene or song ? write to me at wagga.local.studies@gmail.com with your fave moments from any production since the theatre opened.

The Wagga Free Library

The Wagga Wagga Free Library opened May 24 1946. Local and state luminaries such as the Mayor (Alderman Doyle) , John Metcalfe (member of the Library Board of NSW) , E K Graham, the Minister for Agriculture and Mrs H K Wessel, librarian from the United States Information Library attended the opening ceremony and a Mayoral dinner.
Unfortunately we don't know what was on the menu (apart from a great deal of toasting) but the occasion did spark some lively conversation about what sort of books people should be reading.
One of the guests was foresighted enough to recommend that the library specialise in collecting Aboriginal lore.
The honored guests were also taken on a tour of Wagga and were "greatly impressed with the view " from the top of Willans Hill.
On opening day the library registered approximately 134 new members and that figure grew to 200 within a couple of days.

If you have any memories you would like to share about Wagga's first free library please contact me at wagga.local.studies@gmail.com.