A HISTORIC tradition will be brought to life in Coffs Harbour next month as a distinguished Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Squadron comes to town.
A naval aviation squadron of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), 725 Squadron holds “Freedom of Entry” to the City of Coffs Harbour.
The squadron, based in Nowra, exercised this for the first time in 2016 when then Commander Matt Royals led more than 100 personnel on a march through the city while four Seahawk helicopters conducted a fly-past.
On Sunday, 17 August, the Squadron will again exercise its right to Freedom of Entry with a parade – the first one since it last did so in 2019.
Around 100 officers and sailors are expected to march, with a scheduled flypast by multiple MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters.
One will land in Brelsford Park where it will remain for a period for viewing by the community.
“725 Squadron celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its re-commissioning in 2025, and conducting this Freedom of Entry Parade is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate this milestone with our partner City,” said current Commander Raymond McErlean CSM.
“My officers and sailors are excited to showcase the MH-60R capability and strengthen our relationship with the people of Coffs Harbour.”
The Freedom of Entry concept can be traced back to medieval times when many cities were protected by fortified walls – and armed units were granted access only if they were trusted.
Next month’s parade at Coffs Harbour will be steeped in splendor and ceremony.
725 Squadron will be ‘challenged’ by a local NSW Police representative, whereupon the Squadron Commanding Officer will produce a scroll detailing its right of entry to the city.
The march will include recognition of the city’s leader, the Mayor, by way of salute.
Accompanying the Mayor will be Commodore Royals, who will return to Coffs Harbour as the Commander of the Fleet Air Arm.
The parade will start at 10.30am from the western end of Harbour Dr and it will meet the police challenge near the City Square, before proceeding to Earl St and onto Brelsford Park.
725 Squadron has an impressive and storied past – its service has included:
● Search and rescue efforts after HMAS Melbourne (II) collided with HMAS Voyager (II) in 1964, one of the most tragic incidents in Australian naval history.
● Provided anti-submarine escort duties during her many troop transport voyages to Vietnam in the 1960s.
● Rescued 352 people when heavy rain and flooding inundated the Nowra area in 1974.
● During the 2019 Black Summer Bushfires that ravaged the Shoalhaven region, Squadron personnel were recalled from Christmas leave in order to provide aircraft and support local efforts.
● After nearly a decade of training MH-60R Seahawk aircrew, the Squadron remains the ‘engine room’ of the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm by providing qualified, authorised and experienced aircrew and maintenance personnel to front-line units.
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
