G'day Julie,
When I completed my Command checkout in Christchurch the checker gave me a new set of stripes, a very short debrief and then off to the bar before we paxed back to Sydney. No ceremony or celebration though, I took care of that deficiency on my first trip a few days later!
The only "Wings" presentations I've had was when I got my PPL at the Royal Aero Club at Bankstown and later when I graduated my RAAF Pilots course at Pearce.
The Aero Club was run very much along military lines and the Wings night was a sit down dinner and a presentation by the CFI.
The RAAF ceremony was full blast, a parade, a flypast by the instructors, presentation of Wings by the WA State Governor and a ceremonial dinner in the Officer's Mess. Oh and a rather large hangover the next day!
Regards and enjoy the ride,
BH
Regards,
BH.