Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove was in Wagga yesterday to present the recruit training base with its new colours.

Remarkably, Sir Peter did the same thing as Chief of Army in 2001.

Known as the Governor General's banner, it is the third time it has been replaced since 1981.

It flies as a symbol of nobility and represents the Queen.

As the flag that represented the base on more than 500 outings was carried out of the parade grounds, thunderous claps of the drum signalled its replacement.

The emblem will remain laid up in the Kapooka Chapel - "left to turn to dust as do the bodies of the fallen soldiers who served them".

"It certainly has served very well in this battalion, this place and this community," Sir Peter said, who also inspected the march out of newly graduated platoons three and four.

"It will continue to act as the focal point of military honour and service."

More than 500 people converged on the parade grounds to see out their relatives at "the home of the soldier".

Mary-Ann Canfield, of Barnawartha in Victoria, was there to celebrate the graduation of her daughter and said it was a "one-in-a-million" event to be there as the colours were replaced.

"We love the ceremonial significance," she said.

"It's brilliant how truly proud we are."