Freedom of Entry parade and ceremony

Name: Freedom of Entry parade and ceremony
Start: 2025-10-04T23:30:00+11:00
End: 2025-10-05T01:00:00+11:00
Location: Were St, Montmorency VIC 3094, Australia

Schedule

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025 at 11:30 pm to Sun, 05 Oct, 2025 at 01:00 am

UTC+11:00

Location

Were St, Montmorency VIC 3094, Australia | Eltham, VI

Join us at a special community event as the Freedom of Entry Parade returns to Banyule for the first time in almost 10 years.
More than 200 Defence Force personnel will march from Montmorency Station at 9.30am along Were Street and conclude at Petrie Park followed by a morning tea.
You are welcome to join us at Were Street and follow the parade, or await the parade at Petrie Park and view the final ceremony and speeches.
Freedom of Entry is the highest honour a city can give a military unit, symbolising trust and strong ties with the local community.
This historic occasion is a celebration of tradition, pride and connection.
This is a celebration of tradition, music, and community pride. The Defence Force School of Signals will exercise its Freedom of Entry to the City of Banyule, which is the highest honour a city can confer on a military unit. This event recognises the city's trust in the unit and its strong ties with the local community.
Historically, Freedom of Entry was a European tradition where an allied army was granted authority to march through a town or city, symbolising trust and pride between the community and the military.
A highlight of the event will be the traditional ‘challenge’ ceremony, where a senior Victoria Police officer stops the unit and asks for their purpose. The Commanding Officer will respond with a formal declaration of their right to march. The Mayor and Council will then acknowledge this right and inspect the parade.
Bookings not required.