The main Army contingent marching along George St in Sydney on Wednesday, June 18, 2003. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper Soldiers from HMAS Kanimbla’s Ship’s Army Detachment march in Sydney with their Navy colleagues Army and RAAF personnel march through Sydney’s streets on Wednesday June 18, as two Hercules fly over as part of the Welcome Home March for ADF personnel who participated in the war against terrorism. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper RAAF, Army and Navy personnel at ease during the speeches at the Sydney City Town Hall on June 18. Photo by Phil Barling, PACC-NSW A proud dad with his daughter show their colours during the parade in Sydney. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper A Vietnam veteran salutes ADF personnel at the march in Perth on June 20

Welcome Home
- A Nation’s Thanks

100,000 in Sydney’s streets for parade

By Graham Davis
More than 100,000 people, some standing 40-deep, others throwing “ticker tape” gave 1400 Defence personnel, both uniformed and civilian, a rousing “welcome home and well done” when they marched proudly through the streets of Sydney on June 18.

Two days later, a smaller, but equally enthusiastic crowd lined Perth streets to greet 1200 Defence members in a similar “Welcome Home March”.

The Australian public applauded them equally as they did the personnel who remain overseas on security duty or who are still involved in the war against terrorism.

The Sydney march saw Defence members from Eastern Australia flown or bussed to Sydney, forming up from 11am on June 18 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at The Rocks.

Many family members joined them at this location all enjoying the brilliant sunshine and the 19-degree conditions.

As the noon chimes struck on the GPO clock, the well-turned out ceremonial motorcyclists from the NSW Police started their machines and with a police patrol car, its beacons flashing, led the Sydney Detachment of the RAN Band out on to George St North.

Leading the marchers was Brig Maurie McNarn who led the ADF during Op Falconer as Australian National Commander in the Middle East.

Behind him came representatives of the Special Forces Task Group.

Next came the RAN contingent, followed the Army group, the RAAF and the 23-member Defence civilian contingent.

In the first 100m of the 2km-long march, crowds stood two-deep behind the barriers.

Further south the numbers swelled, by Bridge Street they were five deep on the footpath, by Martin Place, seven deep, by Market Street, 10 deep and outside the Town Hall up to 40 deep.

Police estimated the crowd at more than 100,000. Metre by metre the marchers were cheered, applauded and cooed.

Hundreds of veterans from previous conflicts mingled with the crowd.

Signs told of the emotion many were feeling.

“Thankyou and Welcome Home” in green on a white background was the message on the sign Sue Peck held aloft.

It said it all.

Another was very poignant – “Vietnam Vets. We Welcome You Home”.

With the RAN, Army and two RAAF bands interspersing the marchers, the 1400 personnel moved along George St.

Although “ticker tape” is a thing of the past, office workers went to their shredders and soon shredded paper fluttered from windows on to the marchers.

Then the first of the elements of an impressive flypast took place.

First there were three RAN helicopters, one carrying a huge White Ensign. Next were two RAAF Hercules followed by two flights of RAAF Hornets, four in each flight.

There was more applause as they roared from north to south tracking along George St.

With police watching from the parapets of the Town Hall, the marchers completed the 2km by 12.30pm.

Waiting to welcome the marchers were the Administrator of the Commonwealth, Sir Guy Greene, Prime Minister John Howard, Lord Mayor of Sydney Councillor Lucy Turnbull, NSW Premier Bob Carr, and CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove.

Sir Guy took the initial salute with Councillor Turnbull welcoming the marchers and the crowd to her city.

“Welcome to Sydney,” she said. “Thank you for your courage and thank God for your safe return.”

The Prime Minister followed, telling the marchers they had “the pride and admiration of a grateful nation”.

“You have delivered a more secure world. You went abroad in a just cause,” he said.

The Prime Minister also remembered one who did not return, Sgt Andrew Russell, SASR, who died in Afghanistan.

Brig McNarn thanked those who had supported deployed Defence personnel, including Defence civilians for their contribution, and applauded the support from families.

He also thanked the three Army officers who preceded him, Maj-Gen Ken Gillespie, Brig Gary Bornholt and Brig Michael Paramor.

With speeches and formalities over, the marchers and VIPs were invited to disperse to assemble later in the afternoon for a reception at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre.

The crowd, nevertheless, did not want to leave, moving through the barriers to shake the hands of those who marched.

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