Minister Barr: HMAS Canberra granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Canberra
- Written by ACT Government
Released 04/11/2015
Today I was pleased to grant Freedom of Entry to the ship’s company of HMAS Canberra III by presenting the ship’s commanding officer Captain Chris Smith with a ceremonial scroll ahead of tomorrow’s Freedom of Entry parade through the Canberra CBD.
The full 360-strong company which includes personnel from the navy, army and air force will march tomorrow from Knowles Place near the ACT Law Courts to Civic Square, as part of Canberra’s commemorative activities for the Centenary of Anzac.
The last time the company of a HMAS Canberra ship exercised their Freedom of Entry to our city was when the company from HMAS Canberra II marched through Canberra for the fifth and final time in 2005 before the ship was decommissioned.
HMAS Canberra III was commissioned on 28 November 2014 and is the navy’s newest ship.
At 27,000 tonnes, HMAS Canberra is also the largest ship ever built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and as a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), HMAS Canberra provides the Australian Government with the ability to conduct humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations throughout the region.
I encourage all Canberrans to come along tomorrow to watch the parade and I look forward to welcoming the full HMAS Canberra company to Canberra. Road closures will be in place and there will be some distribution to ACTION bus services on routes to Civic Square. For more information, please visit the ACT Government website. www.act.gov.au/freedomofentry
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
