817 Squadron Farewells Goolwa in Final Freedom of Entry Parade
26 February 2011
The much anticipated final 817 Squadron Freedom of Entry Parade in the River Port town of Goolwa was met with cheers from enthusiastic onlookers at the weekend.
75 personnel from 817 Squadron including a Royal Guard and Colour Party, 22 members from the Royal Australian Navy Band and six from Navy Cadet Unit TS Norlunga marched down Cadell Street to the Alexandrina Council Chambers in the ancient military tradition.
Commanding Officer 817 Squadron Commander Paul Moggach led the formed parade and requested permission from Superintendant John Bruhn, Hills Fleurieu Local Area South Australian Police, to exercise their right to enter the town.
After accepting their challenge, Mayor of Alexandrina Kym McHugh welcomed 817 Squadron, highlighting the Squadron's twenty four year relationship with Goolwa.
"The adoption of 817 Squadron by the port of Goolwa came about during the bi-centennial celebrations in 1987. Originally wanting to adopt an RAN ship, South Australia's only inland Port was inaccessible to a surface ship due to the Murray Mouth, lock and barrages," Mayor McHugh said.
"The then Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Hudson suggested that the Council consider adopting an RAN Helicopter Squadron. This was approved by Council and HS 817 RAN as it was known then was formally adopted."
His Excellency Governor of South Australia Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC, CSC, RANR addressed the Parade and complimented the Commanding Officer of 817 Squadron on the number of personnel from the Squadron. Rear Admiral Scarce had the role of Parade Reviewing Officer and inspected the presentation of the Squadron, Band and Cadets.
Commander Moggach said the Squadron had been looking forward to the visit to Goolwa for some time, though were reflective of it being the final Freedom of Entry Parade, ahead of the Sea Kings being retired from Service in the Navy at the end of the year.
"The Squadron's been really excited. It's our final year of operations and we'll be decommissioning the Squadron and retiring the Sea King at the end of 2011. So this is the first significant event marking our decommissioning year, and it was our final Freedom of Entry with Goolwa," Commander Moggach said.
"People within the Squadron have a high regard for and a very fine relationship with the people of Goolwa and it goes right down to that fact that we stay with families. We come here quite often - at least once a year with an aircraft and whenever we're passing through we actually drop in and visit as well," Commander Moggach said.
"It was a great occasion but at the same time there's a tinge of sadness as it will be the final significant event between us and the people of Goolwa."
The Freedom of Entry Parade was also attended by Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Stephen Gilmore, and Commodore Peter Laver, Commander Fleet Air Arm.
Their visit also coincided with the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival for which the Squadron provided a Ceremonial Guard for the opening ceremony.
