during the negotiations leading to the federation of the australian colonies, wagga wagga was a contender for the site of the capital for the new nation. during world war i the town was the starting point for the kangaroo recruitment march. the great depression and the resulting hardship saw wagga wagga become the centre of a secession movement for the riverina region. wagga wagga became a garrison town during world war ii with the establishment of a military base at kapooka and royal australian air force bases at forest hill and uranquinty. after the war, wagga wagga was proclaimed as a city in 1946 and new suburbs were developed to the south of the city. in 1982 the city was amalgamated with the neighbouring kyeamba and mitchell shires to form the city of wagga wagga local government area.