ARMY'S most paraded banner was recently retired in front of a home crowd closing a chapter in recruit training and opening another.

CA Lt-Gen Peter Cosgrove presented ARTC with a new Governor General's Banner at a Banner Parade conducted at Kapooka in early April.

Looking decidedly tired and worn, the 1RTB banner trooped the parade ground for the last time and made way for its replacement, the ARTC Governor General's Banner.

Host Officer of the Banner Parade, Training Commander Army, Maj-Gen Frank Roberts and Parade Commander, Commandant ARTC Col Michael Crane were joined by two guards of around 100 staff and recruits.

Maj Jeff Leith, commander of the first guard, had the rare distinction of being on parade both occasions that the Governor General's Banner was presented.

In 1982 Maj Leithe was a platoon sergeant at 1RTB when then Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen presented the Battalion its banner.

The previous 1RTB Banner has played a very significant role at the Home of the Soldier, appearing on every recruit march-out parade since 1982.

With march-out parades conducted nearly every week of the year at Kapooka, it was easily the most paraded banner in the Australian Army.

The 1RTB Banner was also proudly on display at a farewell mess function in the recruit's mess for former RSM-A WO Pedro Rosemond.

In a break from tradition, the Principal Chaplains of the Australian Army consecrated the new banner before the parade.

A special Drumhead Service was conducted in the Kapooka Soldier's Chapel on the Sunday before the parade.

The Sunday after the parade the old banner was laid up in the chapel as part of a unit Church Parade attended by all staff and recruits.

By Maj Bernie Neugebauer