Historical information

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.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

Personnel are named on a digital copy of this photo.