Freedom of Entry

The exercising of Freedom of Entry of the City enables Council to honour a distinguished unit of the armed forces, and strengthen the ties between citizens and servicemen and women.

Granting of Freedom of Entry bestows the honour upon military units the right to parade through the streets of the city on ceremonial occasions and to be present at official functions and ceremonies. In accordance with military law and tradition this gives the Unit the right to march through the streets with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and ensign flying.

The honour of Freedom of Entry to the City of Maitland has been bestowed upon:

  • HMAS Maitland in 2006, 2017 and 2022

  • RAAF No. 2 Squadron in 2016

  • 208 Squadron AAFC in 2013

  • 234 Army Cadet Unit Maitland in 2000
     

HMAS Maitland Freedom of Entry March

Around 25 officers and sailors from HMAS Maitland will parade through the streets of Central Maitland from 10.00am on Saturday 2 April 2022, during the vessel’s final Freedom of Entry march before being decommissioned at the end of April.

The ceremonial march will celebrate the vessel’s long association with the City of Maitland, which stretches back to when it was first commissioned and the inaugural Freedom of Entry to Maitland in September 2006.

For more information, visit www.maitlandevents.com.au/freedom-of-entry