Birthday parade
5/6RVR marches through Boroondara

Colours flying: Members of 5/6RVR begin the exercise of their Freedom of Entry into the new City of Boroondara. Passing the traditional challenge “Halt who goes there” the marchers finished their parade at the old Hawthorn Town Hall.

By Capt Ian Toohill

CELEBRATIONS of 150 years of voluntary military service in Victoria have reached their finale, the exercise of freedom of entry of 5/6RVR to the city of Boroondara, in suburban Melbourne.

The original grant was made by the then City of Hawthorn in 1990 but in 1994 the cities of Camberwell, Kew and Hawthorn combined to become Boroondara. The new city now recognises the right of entry by 5/6RVR and has presented the Battalion with a new scroll of recognition.

Lt-Col Neil Grimes, CO of 5/6RVR, led the march of some 150 soldiers through the streets of Boroondara to the intersection of Burwood Road and Glenferrie Road, where Victoria Police halted the advance and the City Marshal, Police Inspector Bob Tucker, delivered the traditional challenge.

Granted permission to advance, 5/6RVR proceeded to the original Hawthorn Town Hall where the Mayor of Boroondara, Councillor Jack Wegman, took the salute and reviewed the troops in the company of the Commandant RMC and Head of Corps RAInf, Brig Chris Appleton and Commander 4Bde, Brig Steven Aird.

The host officer for the parade was Col Paul Riley, the Regimental Colonel of the Royal Victoria Regiment. 5/6RVR is a direct descendant of the first militia unit in Victoria, which initially met in a Melbourne pub.

At the reception that followed the parade Cr Wegman said, “The Council and citizens of Boroondara remain proud of the Battalion – Melbourne’s Battalion.

“Proud of those who have served and those who currently serve, who continue to uphold the traditions of citizen soldiering.”

Brig Appleton then presented Soldiers’ Medallions to several members of the unit.