Lining up: The School of Armour paraded on Broadford’s High St for Freedom of Entry Day. Photo: Faith Macale
Photo by
Faith Macale
Troops from the School of Armour marched with military tanks in Broadford’s High St to celebrate their 82nd anniversary of establishment in Mitchell Shire on Sunday, October 29.
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The event started at 10am with the parade of around 20 armoured vehicles and about 160 soldiers marching towards the Memorial Park.
Making tracks: Armoured vehicles parading down High St to Memorial Park in Broadford for Freedom of Entry Day. Photo: Faith Macale
Photo by
Faith Macale
The arrival of special guests followed, including Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens, who inspected troops.
“It is an enormous honour and a great privilege to be a part of this historic occasion,” she said.
“We are very privileged to have a military base within our shire.”
The inspection is a part of the tradition that started as a test of loyalty to the British crown.
Entry granted: Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens presents the original Freedom of Entry Scroll to the School of Armour. Photo: Faith Macale
Photo by
Faith Macale
The Freedom of Entry scroll permits a ‘unit’ to enter; in medieval times, it meant an entry to walled cities.
Cr Stevens presented the scroll to the troops, granting the School of Armour ‘entry’ to the town.
“It is my honour to present the original Freedom of Entry scroll,” she said.
“To reaffirm the rights it confers on the School of Armour and to acknowledge the symbol of mutual trust it continues to represent in modern times.”
Thumbs up: Charlie Matheson, 3, from Kilmore travelled to Broadford to enjoy the parade and exhibition. Photo: Faith Macale
Photo by
Faith Macale
After the ceremony, troops stayed at Memorial Park with the tanks to answer questions from the public.
Kids climbed aboard some of the tanks, and others opted to speak with the troops.
Mitchell Shire Council said about 3000 people attended the event.
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