Soldiers on parade being inspected by man in mayoral robes

Events & Tourism

Mayor reviews Kapooka March Out Parade

Published: 01 Apr 2022 1:40pm

Wagga Wagga’s Mayor officiated as the Reviewing Officer of a March Out parade at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at Kapooka on Friday (1 April).

Councillor Dallas Tout was invited to be the guest of honour at the March Out of 31 and 32 Platoons, Delta Company, by the Commandant of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Colonel Andrew Deacon.

The March Out parade marked the culmination of 83 days of recruit training, which establishes a foundation of skills, knowledge and attitudes required for progression to initial employment training.

As part of his ceremonial duties as Reviewing Officer, the Mayor received formal salutes from the troops on parade, handed out awards to high achieving recruits, and gave a keynote address.

“It was an honour and a privilege to have been invited to ‘The Home of the Soldier’ to take part in this important occasion marking the first great milestone in the careers of Australia’s newest soldiers,” Cr Tout said.

“I was very impressed by their high standard of presentation and drill on parade and was pleased to be able to congratulate the prize winners on their achievements.

Man in mayoral robes presents award to soldier — **EFFORTS RECOGNISED:** Mayor Cr Dallas Tout presents an award to one of the prize winners from the Delta Company platoons during the March Out parade. Courtesy Sharp Shots Photography. Photo: Sharp Shots Images.

“It was also wonderful to see the family and friends who made the trip to Wagga Wagga to watch their loved ones on the parade ground.”

March Out parades at Kapooka always feature a Reviewing Officer, usually a senior military officer.

Civilians, usually Ministers of the Department of Defence or Veterans’ Affairs have acted as reviewing officers, but the Mayor of Wagga Wagga has not acted in this role in the memory of current Kapooka staff.

Senior Army officer in uniform next to man in mayoral robes — **STRONG TIES:** Commandant of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Colonel Andrew Deacon, and Mayor Cr Dallas Tout at the March Out parade. Photo: Sharp Shots Images.

Inviting the Mayor to act as reviewing officer is an important symbolic gesture that illustrates the partnership between Council and Defence.

The city has strong and long-standing ties to the Australian Defence Force.

The 1st Recruit Training Battalion was established at Kapooka in November 1951, while the Royal Australian Air Force base at Forest Hill opened in July 1940.

“The staff – both civilian and military – of these two bases are part of the Wagga Wagga community, while the recruits and trainees who go through the courses provide major economic benefits to our retail and hospitality sectors,” Cr Tout said.