City to Host Historic Freedom of Entry Parade for HMAS Stirling

The City first granted Freedom of Entry to HMAS Stirling on 12 November 1988, in conjunction with its celebration of Rockingham becoming a City. 

On 9 September, HMAS Stirling will exercise its right of Freedom of Entry in Rockingham with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and band playing.

Following the formal Freedom of Entry ceremony, the City will host the Freedom of Entry Community Festival with assistance from HMAS Stirling. 

The festival will be the first of its kind ever held in Rockingham and will feature Resident Units from HMAS Stirling, joint military police and submarine recruitment officers, and local community defence organisations such as Legacy, Soldiers and Sirens, Marilla House, RSL and Open Arms. Local musicians and military bands will also provide live entertainment. 

Mayor Deb Hamblin said the Freedom of Entry would be a powerful gesture that honoured the positive relationship shared between the City and HMAS Stirling. 

“HMAS Stirling plays a crucial role in serving and protecting our country, and the City gratefully appreciates the work that all Defence personnel undertake,” Mayor Hamblin said. 

“The base is not only vital to protecting our nation’s interests, it’s also one of the biggest economic drivers in the Rockingham region. More than 3,600 staff work here and many of these people are local residents.     

Over the coming decade the Australian Government will upgrade the capability of HMAS Stirling and it’s vital we continue to strengthen our relationship into the future. 

Commanding Officer of HMAS Stirling Captain Ken Burleigh said it was an honour to be granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Rockingham. 

“We are proud to be a part of the Rockingham community. Being granted Freedom of Entry means a lot to the Navy personnel who serve at HMAS Stirling,” Captain Burleigh said.  

Fast Facts – What to expect on the day: The formal ceremony for the Freedom of Entry will begin from 9.40am, when the Mayor will greet and inspect Navy personnel. The march will step off from Churchill Park and proceed north on Rockingham Beach Road before being stopped on the corner of Flinders Lane – here it will be challenged by Snr Sgt Ian Francis, Rockingham Police. A formal scroll will be presented by the unit, indicating it’s right to exercise Freedom of Entry.The procession will continue along Flinders Lane where the Commander Support Force, Commodore Heath Robertson, CSC, RAN and Mayor Hamblin will take a formal salute outside the Rockingham War Memorial. The march will complete in ANZAC Park where the formation will be dismissed. Following the ceremony, the Community Festival will open at Churchill Park from 10.45am - 1pm. The event celebrates 35 years since Rockingham became a City, 45 years since the commissioning of HMAS Stirling and 112 years since Garden Island was purchased by the Commonwealth.

Image: The City will host a Freedom of Entry Parade for HMAS Stirling on 9 September 2023. Picture: Courtesy Royal Australian Navy.