HMAS Waterhen celebrated its golden anniversary today with a ‘Freedom of Entry’ parade through the Municipality of North Sydney.
The parade of 200 Officers and Sailors, accompanied by the Royal Australian Navy Band, exercised Waterhen ’s rite marching down Miller Street, North Sydney with ‘swords drawn, bayonets fixed, band playing and colours flying.’
Superintendent Allan Sicard, of the NSW Police Harbourside Local Area Command, challenged the parade supported by members of the mounted police and ceremonial motorcycle police. Commanding Officer of Waterhen , Commander David Jones RAN , who proudly lead his ship’s company, said granting Freedom of Entry is the highest honour a city can bestow on unit of the Royal Australian Navy.
“Through the Freedom of Entry march, Waterhen reaffirmed its relationship with the great Municipality of North Sydney celebrating its history of active participation amongst the local community,” Commander Jones said.
“It was great to see kids from local schools waving their Aussie flags as we marched along.”
The Mayor of North Sydney, Jilly Gibson, hosted the time-honoured ceremony with Federal Member for North Sydney, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, and State Member for the North Shore, the Hon Gillian Skinner MP, supporting the parade of white uniforms. Mayor Gibson also graciously put on a community barbecue for the members of Waterhen at St Leonards Park.
“My ship’s company and I are very proud of our links to the North Sydney area, where many of us live, work and raise families,” Commander Jones said.
“The establishment’s 50th anniversary is a significant occasion and we are pleased to share some of our history and traditions with the community as we celebrate this milestone.”
HMAS Waterhen was commissioned on 5 December 1962 to serve as a support base for the 6 ‘Ton Class’ Mine Sweepers. Half a century on, the stone frigate continues to be Navy’s centre for Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Capability, supporting six Mine Hunters, Australian Clearance Diving Team One and the Mine Warfare, Geospatial Deployable Systems Team.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, December 6, 2012; Image: Royal Australian Navy