Home of the Soldier
The Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) is located within Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, just 9.5km South-West of Wagga Wagga. The name Kapooka is derived from the local Indigenous dialect meaning 'place of wind'. Major General C.S. Steele chose this site as it was close to Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey's birthplace at Wagga Wagga.
HistoryThe 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1RTB) was established at Kapooka in November 1951, with Lieutenant Colonel V.E. Dowdy appointed as the first Commanding Officer. During 1952 and 1953, 1RTB was joined by 2nd Recruit Training Battalion in temporary buildings on the ridge south of the main camp.
Kapooka Tragedy MemorialOn a crisp, clear May afternoon in 1945 Australia suffered its worst military training accident. An explosion at the Kapooka Army Base killed 26 men.
