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EQUIPMENT
All units on arrival in camp were equiped with Dungarees, for training purposes, with the exception of Carmichaels men from Liverpool who were equiped with A.I.F. service pattern uniform.
Later and before embarking all troops of the Brigade were equiped fully with A.I.F. Service Pattern Uniform but no rifles or equipment issue was made (except for Training purposes). in Australian
TRAINING
Intensive training was carried out by the Brigade special attention being given to the physical fitness of the men.
MUSKETRY AND BAYONET FIGHTING
For musketry C.M.F. Sgt. Majors from the school of Musketry at Randwick were in charge and the instruction passed on to the men was of a very thorough and useful nature.
All N.C.O's of the Brigade were passed through a N.C.O's school at BROADMEADOWS CAMP and graduated for their permanent appointments on the results of their course.
Sports of all kinds was encouraged and one Brigade Sports Meeting was successfully held at the NEWCASTLE SPORTS Ground.
LEAVE ETC.
Liberal week end leave was given to the men and opportunities of visiting their homes as far as could be made possible.
Special trains were run from MAITLAND to NEWCASTLE, and from NEWCASTLE to SYDNEY, with regards to the week end leave for men who had their homes in the SYDNEY district.
N.S.W. Govt. Railway Commissioners refused to make any reduction in the fare of 9/- return for the troops. This led to a lot of trouble, and to men travelling on the trains and refusing to pay their fares.
On the protest of Lt. Gol. A.J. Jobson. G.O.C. the Commissioner reduced the fares to 6/6 return. This again was too much for the Men, representing as it did over one days pay. After many urgent representations made by Lt. Col. A.J. Jobson, the Commissioners finally reduced the fare to 2/6 return, which proved satisfactory to all.
The stand of the N.S.W.G.R. Commissioners in this case was unworthy of them and caused a great deal of bad feeling between the troops and the Railway Authorities.
The G.O.C. endeavored to get a free conveyance for the troops on the NEWCASTLE TRAMWAYS without success.
SEND OFF
All units were tended "Send offs" by their respective Districts before embarking and comforts of all kinds were donated on all sides for the boys.