Traditional military march to honour RAAF’s presence in Salisbury

As part of the Air Force Centenary, RAAF uniforms will march into town on 5 November, exercising a medieval right called ‘Freedom of Entry’ to honour and celebrate the special relationship between the RAAF and City of Salisbury.

The event, which is open to the public, will begin in Pioneer Park, Salisbury where No 92 Wing personnel will form before marching down Commercial Road and John Street. A traditional Freedom of Entry Challenge will occur on John St adjacent to the Salisbury Community Hub. The march will then continue onto the Salisbury Civic Plaza where a special traditional smoking ceremony will be conducted before the City of Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM inspects the RAAF formation.

A ‘Freedom of Entry’ is a right granted by a council to enter a city; the highest honour a city can bestow on a military unit. The City of Salisbury granted RAAF Edinburgh the right of Freedom of Entry in 1988.

Mayor Aldridge will receive a general salute from the unit as part of the ceremony.

The Officer in Charge, Northern District South Australian Police Superintendent Guy Buckley, will challenge the unit in John Street. Meanwhile, the SAPOL Marching Band will escort the RAAF contingent on the march. The general public can watch the march and the Freedom of Entry from John Street and from the front of the Community Hub.

RAAF Freedom of Entry March – free event open to the community

Friday 5 November 2021

March will depart Pioneer Park, Salisbury at 11.45am and will move along Commercial Road on to John Street

Freedom of Entry Challenge will occur at John Street at 11.55am

Traditional smoking ceremony and Mayor Inspection of the RAAF formation will be conducted at the Salisbury Civic Plaza at 12pm.

A COVID Safe Plan will be in place and any changes to restrictions could impact on the event.