Many families with children were among the hundreds of people who turned out for the second ever Freedom of the City march in Wollongong on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The ceremony started at MacCabe Park with the presentation of a scroll to HMAS Wollongong commander Lieutenant Commander Scott Wilson by Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery.
The crew then marched up Church Street into Crown Street Mall behind the Navy Band and with the Royal Australian Navy Cadets and members of the NSW Mounted Police Unit. In the centre of the mall Superintendent Stephen Hegarty challenged the parade. Lieutenant Commander Wilson then showed the scroll and his crew were granted entry to the city and marched east down the mall towards Kembla Street.
As they passed Wesley Church on the Mall representatives from the council and Wollongong RSL sub-branch and Commander Mine Warfare, Clearance Diving, Hydrographic, Meteorological and Patrol Force Captain Warren Bairstow took a salute from the parade which proceeded to the bottom of the mall.
A similar number of people gathered at Figtree RSL Bowling Club on Saturday night for a Ceremonial Sunset with the Navy Band again taking centre stage.
Lieutenant Paul Gibson said the whole experience was very moving. “It is the first time I have been involved in a Freedom of Entry and I totally enjoyed it and it was great to see such an excellent turnout. Everyone has been excited about this. It has been a first so many of the crew of HMAS Wollongong,” he said.
Sub-Lieutenant Sarah Harrington’s family came to Wollongong for the occasion and described it as an incredible experience. “I will probably only ever do this once in my career. I am so glad to have done it. It was a real privilege to march along side my crew mates. It is something I will remember forever. It was a once in a lifetime experience”.
Cr Bradbery said it was a new experience as well for him as Lord Mayor. “And what a great honour. At the same time it was a great community event for this crew which is doing an incredible job on border protection to the north. It is great that they were able to make it so far south.”
Wollongong RSL sub-branch president Peter Poulton was involved in organising that event along with the bowling club, Hydrographic Office and the council.
Related stories:
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
