Navy Marches Into History
17 March 2009
More than 4,600 Officers and Sailors wrote a new chapter in the Royal Australian Navy’s illustrious history when they marched through the streets of Sydney in the largest parade of Navy personnel since the Victory in Japan Day celebrations.
Sydney was a sea of white uniforms and glistening medals when the RAN exercised its right to the Freedom of Entry (FOE) to the city on Saturday 14 March, for the first time since the Bicentennial Celebrations, 21 years ago.
The sailors marched into the hearts and imaginations of more than 10,000 people who saw the parade and whole-heartedly applauded the men and women of the senior Service who proudly do their duty in ships at sea, often far from public view.
More than one third of the Navy participated in the 2.5 km parade that will live fondly in the memories of all the sailors as an event of this grandeur is unlikely to be seen again for some time.
Of special significance was the Royal Guard parading the Queen’s Colour, a silk Australian White Ensign embroidered with the Royal Cipher, for the first time in Sydney since it was presented by the Governor-General in 1989.
The parade commenced in grand style at The Rocks, where the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, received a Royal Salute from the Royal Guard.
The ship’s company of HMAS Parramatta (CMDR Jonathon Sadleir) then had the distinction of being presented with the Gloucester Cup by the Governor-General, in recognition as the most proficient ship in the Fleet in 2008.
CMDR Sadleir said the award recognised the tireless efforts and dedication to duty of Parramatta’s ship’s company last year, including her deployment to the Gulf.
As the parade stepped off, led by the Command Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT), RADM Nigel Coates, and Commander Australian Navy Systems Command, RADM Stephen Gilmore, they were formally “challenged” by New South Wales Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione.
COMAUSFLT presented a scroll, carried by Fleet Command Warrant Officer, WO Simon Kelly, affirming the Navy’s right to march through the streets with “swords drawn, drums beating and colours flying”, which allowed the parade to make its way up George Street.
The parade was conducted by Sailors and Officers from the 15 ships that conducted the spectacular Fleet Entry on 13 March, as well as the ship’s companies from the ‘stone frigates’, HMA Ships Albatross, Creswell, Harman, Kuttabul, Penguin, Watson and Waterhen.
Scores of sailors told Navy News that they were excited at marching in front of 10,000 people; almost as much about ‘catching up’ with former shipmates when the platoons formed up at The Rocks early Saturday morning.
Video Gallery
Image Gallery
Visit the Navy gallery to view images of the Sydney Freedom of Entry March.
