An ancient ritual was undertaken in Dubbo on Saturday as the Australian Air Force Cadets exercised their Freedom of Entry to the City.
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After a formal ceremony at the cenotaph the AAFC 313 City of Dubbo Squadron marched to the Church Street Rotunda. During the march they were symbolically challenged by the police over their entry into Dubbo.
Squadron leader Michael White said the cadets were granted Freedom of Entry to the City ten years ago.
“In 2007 and I wanted to do something different to celebrate our 40th anniversary. I approached Dubbo City Council at that time and arranged to get Freedom of Entry, which is a medieval custom where the returning armies, as a sign of trust by the city, are allowed to carry their weapons into the city,” he said.
“The custodian of the city, which would have been the sheriff during crusade time, would challenge the head of the army and say ‘well, what right do you have to come into my city with weapons?’ As a sign of trust the council presents a scroll to the commander of the army saying you can come into the city. It’s an ancient ritual.”
On Saturday the 313 Squadron, along with cadets from Bathurst, Armidale and Tamworth, were stopped during their march to the rotunda by the police and had to request permission to enter the city.
While they were stopped a Hawk 127 aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Williamtown conducted a flypast at 150 metres above ground level.
It’s something they’ll only get to experience once in their lifetime. Very few bush units get freedom of entry into a city.
- Michael White
Once the Freedom of Entry is granted, the squadron has the right to exercise it every five years.
“It’s something they’ll only get to experience once in their lifetime. Very few bush units get freedom of entry into a city,” Mr White said.
“I guess it would make them tick, it would make me tick, to know they’re part of something historic. It’s not the defence force but you're part of the history of the city of Dubbo. Take that with you today and take pride in who you are and what you’ve done.”
A ceremony was also held to unveiled the squadron’s new banner. The banner features a rhino as not only is the animal now synonymous with Dubbo, but it symbolises strength and determination which are qualities of the cadets.