Air Force Cadets to be granted ‘Freedom of the City’

The 408 Squadron and 4th Wing Australian Air Force Cadets will take centre stage at this year’s Maroondah Festival after being granted a Freedom of Entry to the City.

The special honour will be presented as part of the 30th annual Maroondah Festival on Sunday 10 November 2019.

Maroondah Mayor Cr Rob Steane said it would be the first time in 15 years that the 408 Squadron and 4th Wing Australian Air Force Cadets gave been granted a ‘Freedom of Entry’ to the City.

“This is a very symbolic occasion to celebrate our City’s partnership with the 408 Squadron, which has been part of Maroondah for many years,” Cr Steane said.

Freedom of Entry is a ceremonial honour whereby a military or civilian unit is granted the right of entry to the City. It is awarded to Australian military units that have, through their command, a significant attachment to the City of Maroondah. 

The 408 Squadron and 4th Wing Australian Air Force Cadets last performed a Freedom of Entry in 2005 as part of Maroondah Festival celebrations.

“Granting Freedom of Entry is the highest honour our City can bestow upon a military unit, and traditionally, it signifies a mutual trust between the City and the unit,” Cr Steane said.

“This year will also be particularly significant as the Freedom of Entry will be staged as part of our 30th annual Maroondah Festival celebrations,” he said.

The 408 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets, based in Dublin Road, East Ringwood, is a youth-oriented organisation that is administered and actively supported by the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Prior to October 2001, the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) were named the Air Training Corp and were formed in 1942 as part of the war effort,” Cr Steane said.

“The AAFC is a much different organisation from its wartime creation. Whilst it has a strong emphasis on an association with aviation and the RAAF, it also emphasises self-discipline, self-management, teamwork and a sense of obligation to service in the wider community.

“The 408 Squadron has helped a large number of youth reach their true potential and they regularly support community events including Anzac Day commemorations and other ceremonial events.

“As an Australian Air Force Cadet Squadron, they aim to equip young people for community life by fostering initiatives, leadership, discipline and loyalty through training programs which are also designed to stimulate an interest in a particular arm of the Defence Force,” Cr Steane added.

The conferring of the award of Freedom of Entry will be held in conjunction with the 2019 Maroondah Festival on Sunday 10th November 2019.

The 408 Squadron will step off from Norton Road, on the eastern side of Town Park Croydon, marching along Mount Dandenong Road, at which point it will exercise its ‘Freedom of Entry’.

Council will also present the ceremonial scroll that allows the parade commander to enter the City “in full panoply with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying”.