The officers and sailors of Royal Australian Navy operational help base HMAS Cairns have carried out a Freedom of Entry march via their namesake metropolis.
Commanding Officer HMAS Cairns, Commander Alfonso Santos, mentioned the occasion was a reminder of the sturdy connection Navy personnel have with Queensland’s far north neighborhood.
“Navy has been supported by the neighborhood in Cairns since World Struggle II, when Cairns was the ultimate port of name for a lot of ships heading to the Pacific – this sturdy help continues as we speak,” Commander Santos mentioned.
“The Freedom of Entry march is a chance for Navy to precise our appreciation and to say how proud we’re to name the town our residence.”
Roughly 140 members of Ship’s firm marched via the Metropolis in a time honoured custom, which included a circuit on the Esplanade, Shields, Abbot and Florence Streets the place the army contingent had been challenged and subsequently granted Freedom of Entry.
The granting of the precise to Freedom of Entry is the very best accolade a city can award a army unit and dates again to medieval instances when trusted army items had been granted entry to cities to replenish meals and arms.
Cairns Mayor, Councillor Bob Manning OAM mentioned the occasion was an incredible alternative for members of the neighborhood stand up shut and private with their service personnel.
“We welcome the sailors and officers of HMAS Cairns, and categorical our appreciation for his or her service to the nation,” Councillor Manning mentioned.
“Our shared historical past is one thing we sit up for constructing on effectively into the longer term.”
HMAS Cairns has a workforce of roughly 1,000 Defence and civilian personnel with the first accountability to offer upkeep, logistic and administrative help for Cairns-based Fleet items, together with seven commissioned warships.
HMAS Cairns additionally gives refit and coaching help for neighbouring Pacific Island Nations Patrol Boats.
The naval base was initially established as a patrol boat facility in Cairns in 1971, earlier than being commissioned as HMAS Cairns in 1974. The bottom took up its location on the Northern shore of Trinity Inlet in 1982.
Media Observe
Media can entry imagery of the Freedom of Entry march at https://photos.defence.gov.au/S20222034.
