Kapooka "Home of the Soldier" Heritage Collection Tour

Kapooka "Home of the Soldier" Heritage Collection Tour

Registration for this event opens on 8 July 2025

Presenter:  Gordon Hall

An opportunity for U3A members to enter the Kapooka Army Base and visit this interesting Kapooka Heritage Collection.  This collection tells the story of the Australian Army's presence in the Kapooka Military Area since 1942.

The Kapooka Historical Collection is housed in a 1950s-vintage Nissen Hut, which was used as accommodation for soldiers in most military areas in Australia.

We will also visit the Memorial site commemorating an Army Training Accident.  Eighty years ago 24 young field engineer trainees and 2 instructors died on 21 May 1945. The Wagga funeral for these soldiers was the biggest in Australian military history and is also believed to be the worst training accident in Australian Army History.

All soldiers in the Australian Army complete Basic Training at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, at Kapooka located southeast of Wagga.  That's why it's known as "The Home of the Soldier".

Registration is free and a gold coin required to attend the session.

Please respond by text to 0427 782 366 to cancel or apologise.

All enrolled U3A members will need to give me their driver's licence number once enrolled. I will request it in my welcome email.