Freedom of Entry

2023 Freedom of Entry Event

Saturday 9 September 2023, Churchill Park Rockingham Beach Foreshore

The ceremony of HMAS Stirling exercising its right of Freedom of Entry was centred on a formal ceremony in Churchill Park, where the parade was inspected by Mayor Hamblin. The unit then exercised its right to Freedom of Entry in a march down Rockingham Beach Road. The parade was halted at the challenge location on the cross road of Flinders Lane and a challenge was issued by the Rockingham Police Force. The City Marshall acknowledged the unit's right, privilege and permitted the unit to pass. The unit of HMAS Stirling  then continued down Flinders Lane towards Anzac Park War Memorial where the Commanding Officer, Captain Ken Burleigh, and Mayor Hamblin took salute. 

As cities and towns were invariably situated on main roads and at principal road junctions, denial of entry imposed great hardship on troops ‘on the march’. Food and arms could not be replenished and it became necessary to take long detours over difficult terrain to reach a given destination or objective. Troops soon saw the merit in establishing good relations with the corporations and citizens of walled cities and by good conduct earned the privilege of entry and passage. This privilege, not readily won and highly prized, was known as Freedom of Entry. In the case of the Navy, Freedom of the City recognises the defence of sea port cities and towns.

Hence the granting of permission to a formed body of armed men to enter a city became the mark of trust and confidence in which that body was held by its citizens. Source: Royal Australian Navy.

Granting the Freedom of Entry, in accordance with military law and tradition, allows military units the privilege of marching into the City with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and ensign flying.

Traditionally, the Freedom of Entry is a formal ceremonial event involving a parade and the ceremonial handing over of a scroll or similar to signify the bestowing of Freedom of the City. It also includes a challenge by the State Police Service.

For more information on the history of Freedom of Entry visit the Royal Australian Navy website.