From 2.15pm to 2.50pm on Saturday, September 21st, preceding the 2019 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Grand Central Floral Parade, a Freedom of Entry ceremony and parade took place.
The tradition of Freedom of Entry to a city, municipality or shire originates from a custom observed by British regiments in marching through the City of London. The City Fathers claimed that they had the right to forbid groups of armed troops from marching through the city precincts with bayonets fixed, colours flying and music playing. This claim was based on a ‘privilege’ which appears to have originated shortly after Charles II became King in 1660.
The privilege is extended only to military organisations which have had a close association with the city, municipality or shire in question. Once a Defence Force organisation has been granted the Freedom of Entry, that Defence Force organisation then has that right to exercise the freedom to march. This is usually done on significant occasions for not only the Defence Force, but also for the city, municipality or shire for which they hold the Freedom of Entry.
The Freedom of Entry parade (for officers, soldiers and sailors from HMAS Toowoomba; 7th Signal Regiment; 25th/49th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment and the Army Aviation Training Centre) was challenged by Darling Downs Police District Superintendent Mark Kelly in Herries Street before the parade was reviewed by Mayor Paul Antonio in Herries Street fronting St Luke’s Church.
(Toowoomba Regional Council granted a Freedom of Entry parade to HMAS Toowoomba officers and crew in June 2015).