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The first issue of the Wagga Wagga Advertiser was released on 10 October 1868 for the cost of 6 pence. The paper was co-founded by two wealthy local pastoralists, Auber George Jones and Thomas Darlow, whilst the first editor was Frank Hutchison, an Oxford graduate. These men believed that the growing prosperity and importance of the Wagga Wagga district required greater representation in the press. The paper would aim to give proper importance to the subject of agriculture and to be devoted to people from all socio-economic levels.

Originally the Wagga Wagga Advertiser was only published bi-weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday, and would consist of only 4 pages. By February 1880, the paper was published tri-weekly, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, due to popular demand. In 1881, the paper was reduced in price from 6 pence to 2 pence, to make it more affordable. The paper finally became 'daily' on 31 December 1910.

At about the same time, the newspapers' offices relocated from Fitzmaurice Street to Trail Street under the guidance of owner Stephen Sullivan, who originally joined the paper in 1868 as a 21 year old printer. When the partnership between Jones and Darlow dissolved in 1871, Sullivan and his father-in-law, J. Mackay, bought the 'Advertiser' in partnership. Sullivan was to continue an association with the paper until shortly before his death in 1933, a total of a little over 60 years.

With Sullivan's death, The Daily Advertiser was left to his daughters, Alice and Forbie, who sold the paper to a company owned by Rupert "Rags" Henderson and Hanne Anderson (later, Fairfax) about 20 years later. On 23 July 1962, the Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser was reduced in size from a broadsheet to the smaller 'tabloid' size. When the paper celebrated its centenary in October 1968, it was only the fourth provincial daily newspaper in NSW to do so.

It was during Henderson's time as owner that the Riverina Media Group was created. General Managers of the Group included: John Charles Jackson (1961- 992), Graham Gorrel (1992-2000), Wayne Geale (April 2000- ?), Paul McLoughlin (?- present). After Henderson's death, the company passed to his daughter, Margaret Jarrett, and then to her daughter in turn, Alicia Jarrett in 2002.

In 2007, Rural Press Ltd bought the Riverina Media Group, just a few weeks before Rural Press itself was merged into Fairfax Media. At the time, the Group published 7 newspapers in the Riverina (including The Daily Advertiser (Wagga), Riverina Leader (Wagga), The Rural, The Area News (Griffith), The Southern Cross (Junee), The Colypoint Observer (Coleambally and Darlington Point), and The Irrigator (Leeton) and the "Seniors Newspapers" for five states.

Since 1962, editors of The Daily Advertiser have included Taffy Davies (1962-1963), Jack Dennis (1964-1978), Greg Walker (1978-1979), Graham Gorrel (1979-1992), Michael McCormack (1992 - 2002), Paul McLoughlin (2002 - ?), Daniel Johns (2015-2017) and Ross Tyson (2017-present).

The Daily Advertiser is currently a subsidiary of Fairfax.

• The North Berry Jerry Co-Operative Society was formed in early 1921 (Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review, 18 March 1921, pg 4).
• A store was opened at Swann's Coffee Palace in Junee in April 1921 (Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review, 29 April 1921, pg 3).
• By the date of the half-yearly, the society had changed its name to the "Coolamon Co-operative Society" (Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers' Review, 26 April 1921, pg 4).
• The following notice was published in the Government Gazette of NSW: "...Passed the 15th June 1979. - At a special general meeting of the abovenamed society, duly convened and held at Coolamon on the 15th June, 1979, the subjoined special resolution was duly passed: "That the Coolamon Co-Operative Society Limited be wound up voluntarily"."

The first issue of the Lockhart Review was published on 4 July 1908 by Arthur Clague Cowin, who had previously worked at the Wagga Wagga Express. He retired in 1943 and the newspaper passed to his son, George Cowin, who had managed the Urana Shire Advocate on behalf of his father for many years. (1)
The newspaper was bought by David Gyger, owner of the Riverina Express, in 1959. At the time, the Lockhart Review was published and printed at 144 Green Street, Lockhart. (2) Gyger installed Frank Moorhouse as Editor (3). Frank and his wife Wendy ran the Lockhart Review until 5 October 1960 when they were replaced by Colin Duncan and his wife Noela. (4)
The final issue of the Lockhart Review was published on 22 November 1967. Gyger cited obsolete plant and ever increasing costs as reasons for its demise.

References:
(1) Bayley, William (1979) Land Galore: history of Lockhart Shire, pg 109 and 149.
(2) The Lockhart Review, volume 8, no. 1, 6 January 1960.
(3) The Lockhart Review, volume 8 no. 2, 13 January 1960.
(4) The Lockhart Review, volume 8 no. 41, 12 October 1960.
(5) The Lockhart Review, volume 15 no. 46, 22 November 1967.

The first issue of the Riverina Express was published on 2 April 1958 by David E Gyger (editor) and Edwin Cross (advertising manager). The business address was 48 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga. The first issues were printed by the Oxford Printery at 32 Johnston Street, Wagga Wagga. (1)
The newspaper was sold around an area stretching from Temora in the north to as far south as Holbrook. It was mostly a weekly newspaper, changing to bi-weekly from April 1962 to July 1963. The final issue of the Riverina Express was published on 20 September 1963. (2)
The paper would have had a number of journalists in addition to its editor however only one is known at this stage. Frank Moorhouse was a regular journalist for the Riverina Express from July 1957 until he and his wife, Wendy, took over the Lockhart Review in January 1960. (3)(4)

References:
(1) The Riverina Express, 2 April 1958.
(2) The Riverina Express, 20 September 1963.
(3) The Riverina Express, 3 December 1958.
(4) The Lockhart Review, 13 January 1960.

In 1971, the AMV-4 Television Station (based in Albury) and the RVN-2 Television Station (based in Wagga Wagga) merged to become one company, called the Riverina and North East Victoria Television Ltd.
RVN-2 had officially begun transmission on 19 June 1964 at 7pm, providing the people of the Riverina and South-West Slopes with their own local news and programming. AMV-4 followed just a few months later on 7 September 1964 at 5pm.
Paul Ramsay and the Ramsay Corporation gained a majority control of Riverina and North-East Television Ltd on 3 June 1985 and in November the company formed an alliance with Country Television Services Ltd (Mid-State Television) which soon formed "The Prime Network".

The original cannery which formed Letona was built in 1914 by the New South Wales Government as part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Project-an initiative that focused on the management of water resources in Leeton and the surrounding district. However, the management of the Leeton State Cannery by the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (WW&IC) came under a lot of criticism from fruit growers by the 1930s. A combination of factors contributed to the cannery's financial woes, including market instability for canned fruit, poor market advice, poor growing seasons, interest repayments, obsolete machinery, competition and reduced working hours. In 1934, the future management of the cannery was the subject of much discussion during a meeting of the Cannery Advisory Board of Management, which was attended by representatives from the WC&IC and several Fruitgrowers' Co-operatives. At some point during that year, the WC&IC indicated to fruit growers that they intended to sell off the cannery by July 1937.

George Enticknap, then Chairman of the Australian Canning Fruitgrowers Association, worked expeditiously with other fruit growers to secure control of the cannery before the proposed date. At a third meeting of the Central Cannery Committee on 6 February 1935, it was resolved that the Co-operative would lobby the government for a speedy takeover on account of favourable prospects for the cannery over the next two years, which would work to the Co-operative's advantage. The Co-operative was surprised by the government's swift decision to sell the cannery one month after the Central Cannery Committee's historical meeting. The takeover was officiated by the passing of the State Cannery (Sale) Act 1935, which became effective from 11 April 1935. A formal Memorandum of Agreement was drafted and signed between the Leeton, Griffith and Yenda Fruitgrowers' Co-operatives and the Leeton Co-operative Cannery Ltd. on 21 June 1935. Jack Brady, who was already acting as Manager of the Leeton State Cannery since 1921, was appointed the first Manger of Letona to oversee its smooth transition.

In its first ten years, the Board of Directors insisted that expenditure be outlaid on modernising and improving the layout of the plant so as to maintain supply and remain competitive with foreign markets. During World War Two, Letona adapted to wartime conditions and commenced processing vegetables in preference to fruit. With so many Letona processors enlisted in the war, Land Army Girls and even children as young as eleven were employed extensively throughout the cannery to keep up with demand. After the war, the cannery returned to processing fruit when vegetable production was diminishing.

Until the 1970s, Letona maintained a policy of accepting and processing all types of fruit, despite an oversupply in canned fruit in markets overseas. Oblivious to global and domestic competition, Letona continued to modernise and expand, employing a large number of full-time and seasonal workers. Letona subsumed the Mountain Maid cannery in Batlow in 1977. However, in the eyes of the NSW Government, the financial position of Letona looked rather dubious by the end of 1981. The Premier and Treasurer recommended to the cannery that they appoint an independent administrator to review its finances and future direction.

The cannery's financial difficulties continued throughout much of the eighties, as Directors were adamant about curing the ailing cannery industry with high expenditure. Unfortunately, shareholders were unable to recognise the declining state of the Co-operative. By 1993, the financial situation at Letona had deteriorated drastically. Despite efforts of public rallying by local citizens, Co-operative members, employees and politicians, Letona finally sunk into receivership on 27 August 1993 and ceased operation on 29 July 1994.

Compiled by : James Logan.

Sources : Tiffen, Robin, Letona: The Whole Story. Koonadan Publications: Leeton, 1996.

There may have been a newspaper started up in Narrandera in late 1877 or early 1878 (1), which might have been called the Narrandera Argus, but no evidence of it has been found so far.

The first known issue of the Narrandera Argus was published on 3 January 1880, apparently with its first editor having never having seen its publication (2). Mr Samuel Gill (1850-1928) had taken over the reins of the Argus by 1881 (3), having been at Deniliquin with The Pastoral Times (4), before launching the Jerilderie and Urana Gazette in 1877 (5).

Other editors of the Narrandera Argus were James Ashton (c.1893), Ernest Lapthorne and Maurice Charles (c.1899), Edward Thomas Lapthorne (c. 1927) and Donald PL Drover (c.1935), who claimed the paper had been established in 1877 (6).

As of 2021, the Narrandera Argus is still an independently-run newspaper, with a circulation covering Narrandera, Leeton, Yanco, Griffith, Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong and Grong Grong (7).

References:
(1) The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 December 1877, Page 2 [accessed via National Library of Australia, Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28396783]
(2) The Riverine Grazier, Hay, 17 January 1880, Page 2 [accessed via National Library of Australia, Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141035766]
(3) The Australian Town and Country Journal, 19 March 1881, Page 23 [accessed via National Library of Australia, Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70953825]
(4) The Riverine Herald, Echuca and Moama, 13 September 1877, Page 3 [accessed via National Library of Australia, Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115203914]
(5) The Jerilderie Herald and Urana Advertiser, 22 November 1928, Page 3 [accessed via National Library of Australia, Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134613615]
(6) The Narrandera Argus, 20 April 1935, Page 10
(7) The Narrandera Argus website [https://www.narranderaargus.com.au/about-us]

The Tumut Advertiser was a free weekly newspaper published by Tumut Advertiser Lts at 62a Capper Street, Tumut and was printed by The Riverina Media Group, 48 Trail Street, Wagga Wagga. It distribution was 6000 per week.

The Coly-Point Observer was established in 1970 and has been part of the Riverina Media Group since 1982. It is distributed throughout the Coleambally and Darlington Point communities once a week.

'Rossmoyne' Private Hospital was situated at 64 Kincaid Street, Wagga Wagga. The building was purchased in 1919 by Nurses Mabel and Hilda Dickens. They operated a private maternity hospital there until the early 1940's (possibly mid 1942).

In June 1999, a group of friends formed a committee to celebrate the enormous influence John Rosengren had, during his lifetime, on music and musicians in Wagga Wagga. As a school principal, 'Rosie' was particularly interested in supporting young talented music students. As Musical Director of the Riverina Theatre Company, The Wagga Wagga School of Arts, and the Brewer's Troupe, he was heavily involved with the best musical theatre produced in Wagga Wagga for over twenty-five years.

In June 2000, three concerts were held in the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, "The Show of Shows", to showcase highlights from John Rosengren's musical career, with the performances given by his past students, musical pupils, and his musical colleagues. The proceeds from the concert were used to establish "The John Rosengren Scholarship Fund" which provided monetary assistance for school-aged students in the Wagga Wagga Local Government area interested in furthering their musical talents.

From 2001 to 2008, scholarships were presented to many talented students, including pianists, singers, violinists, dancers, trombonists, guitarists, percussionists, etc. The administration of the scholarship fund was passed to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in 2009.

Golf in Wagga Wagga dates back to the early 1890's when a small group of golfing enthusiasts played on a few holes laid down on the bend of the Murrumbidgee River, below the Hampden Bridge, on the area now known as the Wiradjuri Reserve. The Wagga Wagga Golf Club was formed on the 27 June 1895, after a meeting at the Australian Hotel, thereby making it the second oldest golf club in the Riverina (behind Cootamundra), and the fifth oldest in NSW. The original nine-hole sand green course was first utilised on the 5 July 1895 at the Racecourse, and opened officially by the President, Mr. T.H. Wilkinson, on 13 June 1903.

During the early years the main competitions that golfers from Wagga competed in, apart from the Wagga Wagga Championship itself, were inter-club challenges against the likes of Cootamundra, Albury, Henty, Yass, Holbrook, Junee and Goulburn. These events helped to foster the growth of the Wagga Wagga Golf Club, and by 1921 its membership had flourished to 157 members, making it the largest country golf club in NSW. It is also interesting to note that at this early stage there was already a private 'links' in Wagga Wagga, situated near the present Wagga Wagga High School named the 'Hillside Links'.

By 1923 the Wagga Wagga Golf Club was finally in the financial position to build a new club house. This was situated on the corner of Kincaid and McKinnon Streets. The club not only became the regular place for the holding of the Club's meetings, but was also an excellent venue for social events and fund raising activities. The excellent position of the club, in terms of finances and membership, was evidenced by the fact that during the 1923 season the Wagga Wagga Golf Club appointed its first permanent Greenkeeper.

As the sport continued to expand there appeared a need for uniformity and control within the district clubs. In July 1924 a meeting of twenty district clubs resolved to form the Riverina District Golf Association (R. D. G. A.). With an ever increasing membership the committee of the Wagga Wagga Golf Club decided it would be practical to extend the links to 18 holes. This was completed in 1925. By 1928 the Wagga Wagga Golf Club was not the only public links in Wagga Wagga. The Wagga Wagga Country Golf Club was established on the 5 July 1928, and opened officially on 3 May 1930.

During the Second World War, the Wagga Wagga Golf Club experienced tough times. The Club decided to abandon all tournament and championship play as a direct result of a financial downturn and drop in membership. The effect of the war was evident when one considers that the number of R. D. G. A. clubs in 1945 was only 18, in comparison to 52 in the pre-war years.

The installation of the first poker machine in 1954 proved to be a huge success both for the Club financially and for the entertainment of the members. This was followed closely by the granting a liquor license in 1955 by the Licensing Court.

As early as 1962 the Club Committee began inspecting possible alternatives for a new course. The first sight of interest was 120 acres at the Pomingalarna Common, which by 1964 the Club was leasing from the Wagga Wagga City Council. Heavy pressure from the Riverine University League and the NSW Department of Education, who required the land at Pomingalarna for a possible University site, derailed the Club's plans for a new course. After this disappointment, the Club looked elsewhere to secure a new site, and in 1967 the opportunity to acquire 140 acres at the site of the present Riverina Australian Football Club in Fernleigh Road presented itself. Yet, at a special meeting the members voted to stay under the tenancy of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

The search continued and in 1968 an effort was made to obtain a portion of North Wagga Wagga flats. Unfortunately, this venture had to be abandoned when part of the area became flooded. It was not until March 1978 when the possibility of leasing Pomingalarna Common arose again, that the Club decided to act. On 18 September 1978, the 117 members in attendance voted unanimously to relocate the course and the clubhouse to the eastern end of the reserve. The major earthworks commenced in September 1980 and the new Wagga Wagga Golf Club was opened officially on the 13 March 1982.

Compiled by : Wayne Doubleday.
Sources : Wagga Wagga Golf Club: 100 Years of Golf, 1895-1995, compiled by Ron Ball, 1995, RW1495/2, CSURA.

In 1952, the Presentation Sisters founded a school for girls in Wagga called the Saint Maria Goretti School. In 1962, the Christian Brothers established a school for boys on the same site called the Bishop Henschke Boys School. In 1978, the two schools merged to become the Henschke Primary School.

The Coolamon-Ganmain Times was printed and published by A & F Sullivan Pty Ltd of 48 Trail Street, Wagga Wagga for the proprietors, Riverina Newspapers Pty Lid, 114 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga. The first issue was published on 17 October, 1969.

The Wagga Wagga Express and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser was an English language newspaper published in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. It was the first newspaper to be published in Wagga Wagga, and was in circulation from 1858–1939.

The Area News has been published continuously since 1923.

The Riverina Media Group, based in Wagga Wagga, was sold to Rural Press for $64.5 million. The group publishes seven newspapers in the Riverina and the monthly Seniors Newspaper in five states. Its flagship, The Daily Advertiser in Wagga, has a 138-year history in the city.

The Leader is Wagga's free weekly community newspaper. Published every Wednesday, it is distributed to residences in the city of Wagga Wagga. The paper, which was launched in May 1979, continues to be the main source of community news for Wagga's residents and is widely support by local business communities. In May 2004, it celebrated its 25th anniversary. The award-winning newspaper is one of the largest free weekly community newspapers in southern NSW. It is a member of the Country Press Association and has had considerable success in Country Press awards over the years, winning awards for photography, feature writing, headline writing and advertising.

The first issue of the The Riverine Grazier was on October 29, 1873. The paper was published every Wednesday and could be subscribed to for £1 per year. It contained agricultural information, news and advertisements for goods and services in the area.

Its founder was John Andrew, and was purchased in 1888 by James Ashton M.L.C. (previously a compositor with the Hay Standard then a clerk with Cramsie, Bowden and Co.) and John Johnston O.B.E. (ca.1864 – 29 October 1939) who was previously an accountant with Cobb and Co. then branch manager for the Equitable Assurance Company, of New Zealand.

In 1902 it moved to new premises opposite Tattersall's Hotel, Hay, and shortly afterwards purchased and incorporated the Riverina Times (previously the Hay Standard).

The Grazier has found homes in Lachlan and Bank Streets, before moving to Moore Street in 1981. In 2000 The paper returned to Lachlan Street, to it's present position, almost opposite it's former location.

The entity that became Australian Community Media (ACM) began its existence as The Land in 1911. In subsequent decades, The Land acquired various other community newspapers and the resulting media company was renamed Rural Press Limited in 1981.

On 6 December 2006 it was announced that Rural Press Limited and John Fairfax Holdings would merge to form a new company estimated in value at $12 billion. The merger with Fairfax was completed on 8 May 2007. Papers from Rural Press were published under the Fairfax Regional Media brand, which later became Australian Community Media. Fairfax Media merged with Nine Entertainment in 2018 and Nine sold ACM to Catalano and Thorney in 2019.

The Junee Southern Cross is published every Thursday and serves the township of Junee, villages of Illabo, Bethungra, Junee Reefs and Old Junee. Junee is perhaps most widely known for its past and current association with the railways and continues to be an important rail centre for the region. The paper's editorial content is predominantly made up of community and sporting news.

One of the largest co-operatives was the Ricegrowers’ Co-operative Limited (RCL), formed in 1985 from two other earlier co-operatives, the 1925 Murrumbidgee Irrigation Rice Growers’ Co-operative Society and the 1950 Ricegrowers Co-operative Mills Ltd. In the face of global oversupply and low prices, RCL moved into the manufacture of a range of new products from rice and its by-products. In 2005, rice grower members voted to convert RCL from a co-operative to a company, Ricegrowers Limited.