Wagga Wagga Kapooka Military Area Monument

The memorial is a three-inch mortar mounted on a circular stone platform, located in the Victory Memorial Gardens. The memorial commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Kapooka Military Area which commenced operations on 1 May 1942. A brass plaque, situated on raised bricks, is inscribed with details of the commemoration. 

In 1942 a site of 2,500 acres was selected on the property ‘Moorong’, situated near the “Kapooka Loop” railway halt. Kapooka was initially established as a training base for sappers and engineers, centralising six engineering training units from several states into one establishment. 

Over time Kapooka became a training centre for all existing engineers and engineer units, the Royal Australian Engineers Training Centre (RAETC). The Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Training Wing was transferred to Kapooka from Sydney. It also became a base for the Australian Women's Army Service. Kapooka developed from tent accommodation in 1942 to huts, with the construction of the Headquarters Complex beginning in June 1942. By the end of the year seven camps had been established on the site, and in 1943 Kapooka housed 8,000 troops in training.