Barra Winga DPR/TV/507

A spontaneous farewell gesture by Alpha Company of 1 Battalion of the Pacific Islands Regiment, at the end of Exercise Barra Winga, has filled a gap in the ranks of the Victorian based 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. The Pacific Islanders presented 7 RAR with a three week's old pig for its mascot. It was carried for 10 days on the exercise by Private Duehapa of Ponendetta, New Guinea, who presented it to Major Des Meally, Officer Commanding the Administrative Company of 7 RAR. The Adjutant of the Pacific Islands battalion last year, Major Meally is from Rockhampton. The 7th BaThe 7th battalion's insignia is a fat "porker". The pig is yet to be adopted as an official mascot. The presentation was one of many activities to wind up the exercise. Officers and men of a variety of units are packing up gear to prepare for dispersal and return home to all Australian states. Tents have been pulled down, signal equipment stowed in vehicles and fire trenches and command posts dug over the two month's period in Shoalwater Bay training area 60 miles norht od Rockhampton, filled in.