Army Minister's visit to Singleton, Newcastle DPR/TV/1506

The Minister for the Army, Mr Bob Katter, made a routine inspection visit to Army establishments in the Hunter River/Newcastle areas. At Singleton, he inspected the 3rd Training Battalion commanded by Colonel Ron Garland. Accompanied by the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Major-General K. Mackay, and the local member for the House of Representatives, Mr Frank O'Keefe, he made an extensive ground and air tour of the area. After inspecting a guard of honour and the RAA Band on his arrival, Mr Katter attended a briefing and then saw part of a sports programme being conducted by recruits to mark the end of their training course. After a helicopter flight over the Singleton area, he tried his hand with several infantry weapons, including the M-16 American rifle and a 9-mm automatic pistol. Mr Katter visited the Central Ammunition Depot at Myambat and had lunch at the RSL Club at nearby Denman before flying on to Newcastle. He was met by the Mayor of Newcastle, Mr D. G. McDougall, and then went on an inspection tour of Camp Shortland and Fort Scratchley, which are shortly to be released by the Army. After a quick visit to the Army's establishment at Adamstown, Mr Katter returned to Sydney and Canberra. Also identified: Warrant Officer 2 Daryl Fuller of Thompson Estate, Qld.