BY DI SNEDDON
Despite blistering heat, crowds lined the streets of Singleton last Friday to witness the rare Freedom of Entry ceremony, the highest civic honour a town can confer on a military unit.
The ceremony is restricted to Australian military units which have, through their command, a significant attachment to a town or city and that attachment is set in stone when it comes to Singleton and the Lone Pine Barracks Australian School of Infantry.
Accompanied by the Australian Army Band, some 300 soldiers marched from Hunter Street down John Street and were halted by Chief Inspector Jo Schultz along the route where Senior Australian Defence Force Officer Singleton Military Area and Parade Commander Lieutenant Colonel Richard Thapthimthong, CSC, sought permission to march through the town.
On behalf of Singleton Council and town dignitaries, Chief Inspector Schultz granted permission and the parade headed down Queen Street for further formalities at the Civic Green.
After inspecting the parade, Singleton Mayor Sue Moore paid tribute to the long and successful association Singleton enjoys with Australian Defence Force.
“It’s a privilege for Singleton to be a stop on the journey for a large number of the men and women who go on to protect our country and our way of life in conflicts and in peace time,” she said.
“It’s sometimes easy to forget that there could be up to 1,000 people at any one time undergoing their training at the base right here in Singleton, and it is an honour to pay tribute to the relationship we share at this important ceremony today,” Cr Moore said.
The event marked the 55th anniversary since the first granting of Freedom of Entry to the Singleton Military Area in 1966 (postponed from 2021 due to covid) and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the School of Infantry in Singleton.
Among the special guests on the day were Major General Shane Caughey and Brigadier Jason Groat.
