the australian army base at kapooka includes the army recruit training centre, where general enlistment members of the australian army undertake their initial training. the barracks at kapooka are named after world war ii military commander sir thomas blamey, born at lake albert wagga wagga and australia's only field marshal. following recruit training, soldiers move on to trade specific training at training establishments throughout australia. the soldiers club at kapooka is named for john hurst edmondson, australia's first victoria cross winner in world war ii, who was born in wagga wagga.