HMAS Wollongong Freedom of Entry March

On Saturday 26 November, HMAS Wollongong will conduct its final Freedom of Entry ceremony and march, on its final run to be decommissioned.

Members of the public are encouraged to come along and witness this traditional event. The parade will start at 10am in Church Street, marching past the Cenotaph at MacCabe Park. They will then head into the Crown Street Mall where they will meet the ‘challenge point’ near the stage. The Lord Mayor will formally grant entry to the Navy and HMAS Wollongong during this ceremony. The parade will then continue through the city.

There will be approximately 30 people in the march contingent. We encourage our community to come out and enjoy this traditional ceremony. People will be able to view the march at a number of points along Burelli Street, at MacCabe Park Cenotaph or in the Crown Street Mall.

About Freedom of Entry

The HMAS Wollongong is scheduled to decommission in December 2022. The vessel will be completing a decommissioning deployment down the east coast of Australia, including this visit to Wollongong. As is tradition, a decommissioning vessel will usually conduct a final Freedom of Entry into its namesake city, in this case Wollongong.

Freedom of Entry is a tradition that dates back to European medieval times when citizens couldn’t be sure that armed groups wouldn’t plunder and attack the city. This tradition extends to the Navy for vessels that carry the names of seaport cities, towns and even land-locked centres. Granting permission to an armed group through Freedom of Entry is one of the highest honours a town or city can grant as it signifies a level of trust and confidence.