during world war i the town was the starting point of the "kangaroo march", one of a series of snowball marches conducted in new south wales during the war where groups of recruits would march toward sydney and appeal to men in the towns along the route to join them and enlist in the australian imperial force. 88 recruits left wagga wagga on 1 december 1915, farewelled by a large crowd and to the accompaniment of a band. the marchers included john ryan, who later won the victoria cross for his actions in the battle of the hindenburg line in 1918. the march finished at campbelltown with over 220 recruits.