The Right, Title, Privilege, Honour and Distinction of marching through the streets of a city on all ceremonial occasions with bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying is one of the most interesting of the Military Traditions. The tradition of Freedom of Entry to a city stems from a custom observed by British Regiments in marching through the city of London. The fathers of the city of London claimed that they had the right to forbid bodies of Armed Forces from marching through the city precincts with bayonets fixed, colours flying and music playing, basing this claim on 'Ancient Privileges' which appear to have originated shortly after Charles Il became King in 1660. Military units were then only allowed to enter the city by invitation. The custom has been adopted by many Australian cities and shires. The privilege is usually only extended to Units which have a close association with the city and provides a means of honouring an Army Corps. The Freedom of the City of Wodonga has been conferred on different units based at Bandiana on several occasions. This Certificate commemorates the granting of Freedom of the City of Wodonga on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Vietnam and Associated Veterans Club which was accompanied by a military parade on 11th August 2003. This Certificate is significant because it recognises the relationship between the City of Wodonga and the military forces which have served in the district.A framed certificate declaring the granting of Freedom of the City of Wodonga to Veterans, Ex-service and Service men and women of Australia who served Australia since the cessation of hostilities of the second World War. It bears the common seal of the City of Wodonga and was signed by Mayor Lisa Mahood, Councillor John Watson and Chief Executive Officer Peter Marshall.freedom of the city wodonga, military wodonga

RAEME Corps was first established in 1942 when the Ordnance Corps and the Service Corps were combined. The royal ascent was granted in 1948. The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) is a technical corps tasked with the maintenance of the Army's modern hardware and equipment. RAEME personnel are represented in most Army units. The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers corps motto is ‘Arte et Marte’, which is Latin for ‘With Skill and Fighting’. This item, was presented to the Council of the Rural City of Wodonga in 1978. RAEME has a long association with Wodonga due to its service at the Bandiana base just outside of Wodonga. The inscription on the side of the base reads: "Presented to the Citizens of the Rural City of Wodonga by the Commanding Officer and members of RAEME Trg Centre on the occasion of the granting of the Freedom of the Rural City of Wodonga to RAEME Trg Centre 21 October 1978RAEME Corps has a long association with the city of Wodonga through its involvement in training and logistics at the army base at Bandiana.An award featuring a small model of the cannon "Zamzama" (Captor of Forts) mounted on a polished wooden base. The award includes a plaque outlining the significance of "Zamzama" on the top and another plaque explaining the significance on this award on the front of the base.Explanation of "Zamzama" beside cannon: "ZAMZAMA (CAPTOR OF FORTS)/ The original 14' 4 1/2" long, with 9 1/2" bore, was cast in brass in one/ piece by Muslim engineers in the year 1757 on the orders of the/ emperor AHMAD-SHAH-ABDALI. It was used in several battles and/ proved its value as a great weapon of destruction. It soon became to be/ regarded as a "Tallsman of Power" and continued as such until it was/ ruined in 1818 at Multan. Today it is housed in Lahore, where it was/ placed by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh in 1870."raeme, rural city of wodonga, freedom of the city wodonga, australian military, bandiana