Navy Marches Through Streets Of Sydney

Department of Defence Media Mail List

MSPA 079/09 Saturday, 14 March 2009

Navy Marches Through Streets Of Sydney

Sydney CBD was a sea of white this morning as approximately 4,600 Royal Australian Navy personnel marched through the city’s streets.

In a tradition dating back to medieval time’s sailors and officers exercised their right to the Freedom of Entry in the City of Sydney, signifying mutual trust between a city and military unit. The Navy and Sydney are pleased to continue this historic tradition.

Starting at The Rocks, the personnel presented a Royal Salute to the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, as she inspected the Royal Guard and the Queens Colour was marched in for the first time since it was presented in 1989.

As the parade stepped off, they were formally “challenged” by New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione.

After presenting a scroll affirming their right to march through the streets with “swords drawn, drums beating and colours flying” the parade then made its way up George Street and on to Darling Harbour.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russell Crane, AM, CSM, RAN reviewed the parade as it passed by Town Hall.

“Being saluted by close to 4,600 Navy personnel, or more than one third of our entire Navy, I felt such pride,” VADM Crane said.

“The sea of white before me was truly spectacular and reminiscent of images from 1945, after World War II, when personnel paraded down Sydney’s streets.’

“It has been a memorable two days, for everyone involved in this Freedom of Entry parade and yesterday’s Fleet Entry and Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour,” VADM Crane said.

Before marching, crew from HMAS Parramatta were presented with the Gloucester Cup by Her Excellency Ms Bryce. This prestigious award is presented each year to the RAN’s most proficient ship in the Fleet.

The Freedom of Entry Parade involved the ship’s company from HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin, Newcastle, Anzac, Ballarat, Stuart, Manoora, Kanimbla, Success, Sirius, Diamantina, Hawkesbury, Yarra, Norman and Gascoyne along with Collins class submarine HMAS Farncomb and Navy land establishments HMAS Kuttabul, Waterhen, Watson, Penguin, Harman, Albatross and Creswell. Over 150 Austrῡlian Navy cadets also took part in the parade.

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