Wagga Wagga Memorial Youth Centre

The War Memorial Youth Centre is located alongside the Uniting Church (previously the Methodist Church) in Wagga Wagga. The centre is a large brick building dedicated to the memory of those who served in the Second World War. It features decorative brick work at the front with a large window and large plaque above the front door.

At a meeting in June 1948 the Methodist congregation decided to build a War Memorial Youth Centre beside the new church, as a fitting memorial to the young people of the district who had given their lives in the recent war (Daily Advertiser, 1 July 1948).

The foundation stone was due to be laid on 25 June 1949, but was delayed for over a year until 14 September 1950 when the stone was set in front of a large crowd by the Governor of New South Wales, Lieutenant General Sir John Northcott. Sir John commended the creation of such a practical war memorial, prior to unveiling a memorial plaque in the vestibule dedicated to those who served in the Second World War (The Methodist, 7 October 1950).

The War Memorial Youth Centre was officially opened for use on 4 November 1950. The spectators were welcomed to the ceremony by the Reverend N W Lickiss, Superintendent-Minister of the Wagga Wagga Circuit. Mr N W McPherson, one of the architects of the building, presented the key of the hall to the visiting President-elect of the Conference, the Reverend A M Sanders, who then officially opened the centre (Daily Advertiser, 6 November 1950).