Historical information

The Freedom of Entry to the City was an honour conferred by the Bendigo City Council to the AHQ Survey Regiment on the 20th of April 1970. The unit was granted for the first time the privilege 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. The Freedom of Entry Parade occurred on the 14th of June 1970 led by the Regiment’s CO – LTCOL Bill Sprenger MID, MBE; the unit marched up View St in the CBD to the Queen Elizabeth II Oval. The ceremonial parade followed with a march past the guests of honour, Mayor of Bendigo Councillor Jeffrey and military dignitaries. The parade concluded after formal inspections of the troops. A ceremonial scroll was presented to the Bendigo City Council to the AHQ Survey Regiment citing the occasion and was proudly displayed in the entry foyer to Fortuna Villa up to October 2008. The Regiment continued to exercise its Freedom of Entry with anniversary parades in 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995.

Physical description

These black and white and colour photographs of the AHQ Survey Regiment were taken on the occasion of the Freedom of Entry parade to the City of Bendigo on the 14th of June 1970. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi.
.1) Photo, black & white, L to R: RSM WO1 John Hogan, CO LTCOL Bill Sprenger MID, MBE; and 2IC MAJ Frank Thorogood SB St J.
.2) Photo, colour, unidentified Victorian police Superintendent
.3) Photo, black & white, L to R: RSM WO1 John Hogan, 2IC MAJ Frank Thorogood SB St J. and CO LTCOL Bill Sprenger MID, MBE.
.4) Photo, colour, unidentified personnel
.5) Photo, colour, L to R: unidentified, COL COMDT BRIG Don Macdonald MID, unidentified, CO LTCOL Bill Sprenger MID, MBE; and Mayor - Councillor Jeffrey.
.6) Photo, black & white, L to R: unidentified, COL COMDT BRIG Don Macdonald MID, unidentified, CO LTCOL Bill Sprenger MID, MBE; and Mayor - Councillor Jeffrey.
.7) Photo, black & white, L to R: unidentified, Mayor Councillor Jeffrey, COL COMDT BRIG Don Macdonald MID, unidentified and CO LTCOL Bill Sprenger MID, MBE.
.8) Photo, black & white, L to R: unidentified, COL COMDT BRIG Don Macdonald MID, unidentified, CO LTCOL Bill Sprenger MID, MBE; and Mayor - Councillor Jeffrey.