Historical information

Freedom of Entry is a ceremonial privilege granted to military units, allowing them to march through a city or town with full military honors, symbolizing trust and community ties.
Freedom of Entry has its roots in military traditions dating back to ancient Rome, where soldiers were not allowed to enter the city without permission due to concerns about maintaining order. This practice evolved over centuries, particularly after the English Civil War, when loyal military units were granted the right to enter cities as a mark of honor and trust.
In contemporary times, Freedom of Entry is a formal honor bestowed by local governments on military units, allowing them to march through the streets with swords drawn, drums beating, and colors flying. This event typically includes a ceremonial parade, where the unit is challenged by local authorities, symbolizing the community's recognition of the military's service and commitment.
The granting of Freedom of Entry represents the highest civic honor a city can confer on a military unit. It strengthens the bond between the military and the local community, acknowledging the unit's historical ties and contributions. Events celebrating Freedom of Entry often draw large crowds, showcasing community support for the armed forces. The Certificate of Freedom of Entry to Bendigo was granted to A.H.Q Survey Regt in 1970. Signed by JCH Jeffrey, Mayor. This was a great honor to be granted to the unit and this booklet records the exercising of that privilege on 26 October 1990. This booklet records the senior Officers of the Royal Australian Survey Corps and their appointments and dates of service as well as the unit members participating in the Freedom of Entry Parade that was held on the Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo. The Reviewing Officer was Cr AJ Douglass JP the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo. The Army Survey Regiment exercised its Freedom of Entry with ceremonial parades in 1970, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and finally in 1996 when the Unit was disbanded.
Because of the importance and amount of information, the entire booklet has been scanned at 200dpi and then made into a 3.54 Mb video that runs for about 4 minutes. Pause the video if you wish to read the entire contents of a single page.

Physical description

Laminated cardboard cover, black & white print. On front cover at R top corner RASvy emblem in colour. 20 pages, coloured photo of the Director of Military Survey Colonel DG Swiney MBE on p2. Coloured photo of CO Lt Col Rene Van den Tol on p4, coloured photo of Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo Cr AJ Douglas JP on p6. Contents cover the history of dignitaries, the Freedom of Entry Certificate & program of service followed by a list of Senior Survey Corps Officers and the dates that they served followed by a nominal roll of the Unit parade attendees. Held at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Friday 26 October 1990. The entire booklet has been scanned at 200dpi and then made into a 3.54 Mb video that runs for about 4 minutes. Pause the video if you wish to read the entire contents of a single page.