City celebrates HMAS Ararat visit

It was the first time Ararat had granted Freedom of Entry to the crew of Ararat (II) and despite the frosty conditions residents turned out numbers to show their support.

Commanding Officer Ararat (II), Lieutenant Fiona Simmons, said the crew was honoured to be part of the vessel’s history and proud to tell the story of her career representing the people of the city and Australia with distinction.

“She is a fine boat and a hardworking, professional crew that has served Australia well,” Lieutenant Simmons said.

“All of ship’s company are excited to thank the city that has been so kind to us over so many years.”

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Gwenda Allgood, said granting permission to a body of armed men and women to enter the city was a mark of trust and confidence.

“It is the highest accolade a city can bestow upon a group, and it’s not something that is readily won or lightly given more today than it was centuries ago," she said.

“This was a rare opportunity to see a Freedom of Entry ceremony and a piece of Ararat history. It was great to see our community come along and show their support and pay their respects.”

It is the second time this year the city of Ararat has extended a warm welcome to the Armidale class Patrol Boat crew, which visited on Anzac Day as well.

The Royal Australian Navy has had a proud association with the city of Ararat and its people for 75 years.

That association began on June 16, 1943 when the Navy commissioned the first vessel to carry the city’s name, HMAS Ararat (I).

Ararat (I) was one of 60 Australian minesweepers built during Second World War.

Ararat (II) is an Armidale-class Patrol Boat and the second Navy vessel to carry the name. It commissioned on 10 November 2006 and is still in service, based in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Ararat (II) and her 11 sister Armidale-class Patrol Boats are Navy's principal contribution to Operation RESOLUTE, the whole-of-Government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests.

The badge design of Ararat (II) is based on the early 1850 goldmining and present day commercial agriculture of Ararat and the surrounding district, in particular the wine industry.

The grapes represent the wine industry while the pick and spade are symbolic of the tools used in goldmining. The green background represents the green fertile pastoral land of Ararat and the surrounding district.

The Freedom of Entry tradition began in medieval times when a city would show its trust in a group of men-at-arms by allowing them to enter their walls without being disarmed.

Nowadays, the right of Freedom of Entry is a symbolic mark of honour and support from a city to a military unit.