The Freedom of Entry to the City was an honour conferred by the Bendigo City Council to the Army Survey Regiment in 1970. 1977 was the second time the unit exercised its freedom of marching into the city with swords drawn, bayonets fixed and drums beating. The honour is usually bestowed upon local regiments, in recognition of their dedicated service, and it is common for military units to periodically exercise their freedom by arranging a parade through the city. Led by the Regiment’s CO – LTCOL Bob Skitch, the unit marched down View St in the CBD, along Pall Mall and up Gaol Rd to the Queen Elizabeth II Oval. The ceremonial parade followed with a march past the guests of honour, the Mayor of Bendigo and military dignitaries. The parade concluded after formal inspections of the troops. The Regiment also exercised its Freedom of Entry with anniversary parades in 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995.This photograph of the Army Survey Regiment was taken on the occasion of the Freedom of Entry to the City of Bendigo March in 1977. The photo was printed on photographic paper and scanned at 200 dpi. It is part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1 - Photo, black & white, 1977. Female Contingent salutes on the march past the dais. Right file L to R: PTE Chris Meharg, CPL Di Chalmers, LCPL Lynn Johnson, PTE Debbie Brown, PTE Le-anne (Smallshaw) Shirley, PTE Janet (Chopping) Justin, PTE Deirdre Moorrees, CPL Sue (Lang) Spath, WO1 Marj Knight, LT Dianne (Norling) Harris CSC. Centre and left file L to R: SSGT Pat Lumsden - obscured, PTE Karen (Carmichael) Gloster, PTE Kerry (Brown) Collins- obscured, PTE Terry Martin, PTE Laurel (Ryant) Staley – obscured, PTE Tracey (Beckwith) Phillips, PTE Marrianne (Van De Zee) De Groot- obscured. Personnel are named on a digital copy of this photo.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna

The certificate was issued by the City of Bendigo to AHQ Survey Regiment awarding the Regiment "Freedom of Entry" on ceremonial occasions. The certificate recognises the long service and close association between the Regiment and the City. Three certificates with seals were produced. One held by the City of Bendigo, one held by the Regiment and one was held by Ian Wallace who produced the certificates when he was part of the City's Engineering Department. The Freedom of Entry to the City was first conferred by the Bendigo City Council to the Army Survey Regiment in 1970. The unit then exercised its freedom by marching into the city with swords drawn, bayonets fixed and drums beating. The honour is usually bestowed upon local regiments, in recognition of their dedicated service, and it is common for military units to periodically exercise their freedom by arranging a parade through the city. The parade generally concluded after formal inspections of the troops. Regiment members were often treated to a civic reception at the City Hall after the ceremony. The Regiment also exercised its Freedom of Entry with anniversary parades in 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995.The Regiment copy of the certificate was sent to the Army Military Museum at Holsworthy when the unit was disbanded and this copy (6409.1) held in the Bendigo RSL Museum is the copy that was originally held by the City of Bendigo. 6409.2 is a photograph of Gary Warnest, President ExFortuna Survey Association (left) holding the certificate 6409.1 and Mr Ian Wallace the certificate producer (right).Large framed certificate. Wooden frame, glass protecting the certificate.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr