80th Anniversary of the Kapooka Tragedy marked with road naming tribute
Council has unveiled a commemorative plaque and new street signs in the Special Activation Precinct, named in honour of those who lost their lives or were injured in the Kapooka Tragedy – Australia’s worst military training accident.
The special ceremony was held on Wednesday 21 May 2025 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the tragic event, which occurred during a live explosives training exercise at what was then known as the Royal Australian Engineers Training Depot in 1945.
In partnership with representatives from the Australian Defence Force and the 1st Recruit Training Battalion Kapooka (1RTB), Council officially revealed Pomeroy Drive (formerly Merino Road), Cousins Road and Linthorne Road: newly named in honour of three of the 26 Australian Army servicemen – also called sappers – who died that day.
Among those attending the ceremony were family members of the fallen sappers, including representatives of Sergeant Herbert Pomeroy's family.
Kapooka First Nations Elder and Australian Army veteran Uncle
Hewitt Whyman delivered a moving Acknowledgement of Country, acknowledging the cultural, historical and emotional significance of both the land and the lost lives being honoured.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said “Honouring these fallen service members in such a lasting way is a profound privilege for our city.
“This tribute ensures that the names of those who served – and our deep respect for those who lost their lives in the Kapooka Tragedy – will be forever woven into the fabric of our community.”
Head of Corps for the Royal Australian Engineers Brigadier Mick Say said the Kapooka Tragedy remains to this date the Australian Army’s largest loss of life in training.
“It had a significant impact on the Corps of the Royal Australian Engineers,” Brigadier Say said.
“This tribute to honour the fallen sappers is a fitting way to remember their sacrifice and demonstrates the strong and long-standing connection between the Corps, Army and wider ADF community with the city of Wagga
Wagga.”
Commandant of 1st Recruit Training Battalion – Kapooka Colonel Gerard Kearns CSC said the Wagga Wagga and broader Riverina communities have always provided outstanding support to the Australian Army, its soldiers, and its families.
“Today’s tribute in honour of those killed in the Kapooka Tragedy demonstrates the strong connection in this community with serving personnel and their families,” Colonel Kearns said.
On 24 May 1945, three days after the explosion, more than 7000 people lined the streets of the city to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers, while 200 returned servicemen formed a solemn guard of honour.
your say on three draft plans designed to bring the Wagga Wagga 2050Community Strategic Plan to life, turning your community priorities into real, on the ground action, year on year. The plans are:
Healing together: National Sorry Day in Wagga Wagga
Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri and First Nations Elders, young people, and community members are invited to gather at the Sorry Rock in the Wollundry Precinct on Monday 26 May 2025 to commemorate National Sorry Day.
Council’s Aboriginal Community Development Officer Michaella Alexander, is encouraging the wider community to reflect on the significance of this national date.
“It’s been 28 years since the first National Sorry Day was held, marking the anniversary of the 1997 Bringing Them Home report being tabled in Federal Parliament – a national inquiry into the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families,” Ms Alexander said.
The Sorry Day Rock was unveiled in 2018 to honour the Stolen Generations, including children sent to institutions such as the Cootamundra Girls Home and Kinchela Boys Home, where they were trained in domestic and farm labour. Often confused with National Apology Day—held on 13 February to mark the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 2008 apology—Sorry Day specifically recognises the ongoing impacts of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.
“Sorry Day offers a chance to acknowledge the past with sincerity and empathy, paving the way toward healing,” Ms Alexander said.
“As guided by local Elders, this year’s event will focus on our young people, with children and youth presenting poems, songs, and dance.”
The commemorative ceremony will take place at 10am on Monday 26 May at the Sorry Rock, Wollundry Lagoon, near the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre (Burns Way). Light refreshments will be served after the official proceedings.
National Sorry Day is followed by National Reconciliation Week 2025, running from 27 May to 3 June. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to reconciliation.
For more information about this National Sorry Day, visit: wagga.nsw.gov.au/ national-sorry-day
Let us know what you think so we can make sure we’re on track! On public exhibition until Tuesday 10 June 2025.
TRAGEDY REMEMBERED: Mayor Dallas Tout and family members of the fallen sappers are all smiles, as together they unveil the commemorative plaque honouring the lives lost in the Kapooka Tragedy.
Construction set to commence on Lake Albert foreshore remediation
Contractors are confirmed to commence construction in the coming weeks on the Foreshore Remediation stage of the Lake Albert Pipeline and Precinct Renewal project.
Construction will begin on the western side of the lake beside Ray Beddoe Park, with preliminary works to establish
SAFE DISPOSE: GWMC Waste Education Officer Sam Holt and GWMC
Facilities Manager Andrea Baldwin are encouraging residents participate in the Embedded Batteries Disposal trial.
Embedded Batteries Disposal trial underway at GWMC
Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC) is currently participating in an Embedded Batteries Disposal trial in an effort
site compound and fencing set to commence on Monday 26 May.
Construction will then begin in earnest the following week on Monday 2 June, weather permitting.
Council’s Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton noted the announcement comes a little earlier than anticipated after Council had successful discussions with the contractor regarding the construction schedule.
“By commencing the required works, we will be able to take advantage of the current dry conditions,” Mr Creighton said.
"To that end, we’re pleased to have secured a construction crew ahead of schedule. It means we can now hit the ground running and start delivering this important first stage of the project."
Contractors will be onsite from Monday to Friday during this stage of construction, undertaking works each day between 7am and 6pm.
to reduce the number of batteries going into landfill.
The statewide trial is an initiative of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), in place until September 2026.
Embedded batteries are typically present in rechargeable devices such as cordless speakers, electric toothbrushes, e-scooters, toys, shavers, vacuum cleaners, vapes and wearable devices such as smart watches.
When these products reach their end of life they need to be disposed of safely and in a way that the materials they are made of can be recycled.
It is unsafe to dispose of any kind of batteries in your kerbside bins; embedded batteries are especially problematic because when they are exposed to heat, water or physical damage (i.e., compacted in a garbage bin). They can start an electrical fire, putting you, our staff, our contracted staff and the environment at risk.
GWMC Facilities Manager Andrea Baldwin said the recycling of embedded batteries is important.
Artist Opportunities
Saturday works, although not regularly scheduled, may also be required at different stages of construction.
During construction, access to Ray Beddoe Park will be maintained.
Meanwhile, footpaths will remain open for the majority of these works, with pedestrians and cyclists advised to follow signage regarding any localised detours in place during construction. Any footpath closures will be advised prior to the path being closed via social media and detours will be arranged, where practical.
Residents in the affected area have been advised of construction commencing, which notes that neither property nor road access along Lakeside Drive will be interrupted for the duration of these initial remediation works.
To find out more about the project, visit: haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/lakealbert-pipeline-and-precinct-renewalproject
“By collecting your items with embedded batteries, we can support innovation in the recycling industry and increase the chance of reclaiming the materials used in battery construction,”
Ms Baldwin said.
“Batteries are embedded into so many of our everyday devices and we need our community to help support safe disposal of these items, so they don’t end up in landfill.”
The EPA Embedded Batteries disposal trial runs until September 2026.
Gregadoo Waste Management Centre is located at 132 Ashfords Road and is open daily 7am – 4:30pm.
Vacancies
Rural Landfill Attendant (Humula)
Remuneration: $334.24 gross per fortnight + super (based on part time hours of work and including penalty loading)
Closing: Sunday, 25 May 2025
Rural Landfill Attendant (Mangoplah and Uranquinty)
Remuneration: $856.49 gross per fortnight + super (based on part time hours of work and including penalty loading)
Closing: Sunday, 25 May 2025
Patching Plant and Truck Operator – Two Positions
Remuneration: $2,310.74 gross per fortnight + super
Closing: Sunday, 25 May 2025
Asset Assessment Support Officer
Remuneration: $2,391.68 gross per fortnight + super Closing: Sunday, 1 June 2025
Enquiries: 1300 292 442 To learn more or apply, visit:
wagga.nsw.gov.au/ jobs
Bring some sibling sunshine into your life with Chaos and Calamity.
The sister and brother duo, Calamity (left) and Chaos (right) are tan and white mixed breeds, who are approximately 10 months old. They know how to ‘sit’, and love playing with whoever is brave enough to look at them. This pair will need ongoing training to set them up for success in their forever homes. Calamity (D25/0225) can be adopted for $389, while the fee for Chaos (D25/0223) is $344, which include microchipping, lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, heartworm testing, flea and worming treatments and an ID tag.
Road closures
HAMPDEN AVE
Roads: Hampden Ave (off Travers St)
Date:
Duration: Night works between 6pm and 6am each night. Reason: AC (asphalt) wearing course
Detour: As per signage
MISSOURI AVE
Roads: Missouri Ave
Date: Thursday 29 May to Monday 2 June 2025 (weather permitting)
Duration: Night works between 6pm & 6am.
Reason: Road reconstruction with full-depth asphalt Detour: As per signage
LAKE ALBERT RD / RAILWAY ST
INTERSECTION
Roads: Lake Albert Rd / Railway St
Intersection
Date: Tuesday 3 June to Thursday 3 June 2025 (weather permitting)
Duration: Night works between 6pm & 6am.
Reason: Road reconstruction with full-depth asphalt Detour: As per signage
EXHIBITION OF DRAFT
AMENDMENT TO WAGGA WAGGA LEP 2010 - 11 FARRER RD, BOOROOMA - AMENDMENT NO. LEP24/0002
Land Description: Part Lot 2, DP70223011 Farrer Rd, Boorooma.
Aim: Council hereby gives public notice of the exhibition of Planning Proposal LEP24/0002 to amend the Wagga Wagga LEP 2010. The amendment invites submissions until 27 June 2025. The Planning Proposal seeks to amend the existing planning provisions that apply to the subject land from 'R5 Large Lot Residential' to 'R1 General Residential' and remove the existing minimum lot size. Exhibition Period: Monday 26 May 2025 to Friday 27 June 2025 (inclusive) How can I read the document or make a submission?
The consultation documents and details on how to make a
Copies are also available at the Customer Service desk at the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (public holidays excluded).
