Historical information

The Freedom of Entry to the City on the 26th of October 1990 was an honour first conferred by the Bendigo City Council to the Army Survey Regiment in 1970. This was the fifth 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 Rene van den Tol, 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, Mayor of Bendigo Councillor James Douglass and military dignitaries. The parade concluded after formal inspections of the troops. Regiment members were 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 and 1995.

Physical description

This black and white photograph of the Army Survey Regiment were taken on the occasion of the Freedom of Entry parade to the City of Bendigo on the 26th of October 1990. The photograph was printed on photographic paper and is part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photograph was scanned at 300 dpi.
.1) Photo, black & white, L to R: LT Simon Buckpitt, MAJ Bob McHenry, unidentified, Mayor James Douglass, unidentified staff officer (partially obscured), ranks of unidentified Army Svy Regt personnel.

Inscriptions & markings

No personnel are identified.