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The CO of HMAS Watson CAPT Peter Murray takes the salute
from the parade. The Deputy Mayor of Gosford Councillor
Craig Doyle shares the dais with CAPT Murray.
All Photos this page by ABPH Yuri Ramsey.
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CPOCD
John Palmer, escorted by LS Heath Winter and LS Shaun Graham,
holds the scroll giving permission for the Freedom Of Entry.
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A
family pet shows the Aussie spirit.
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Gosford’s
Deputy Mayor Craig Doyle presents HMAS Hawkesbury with the
city flag.
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Watched
by the cadets of TS Hawkesbury LCDR Paul Mandziy leads his
ship’s company in the march.
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By Graham
Davis
The
ship’s company of the 710 tonne coastal minehunter HMAS Hawkesbury
was given permission to march through its adoptive city, Gosford,
on April 12, with “swords drawn, bayonets fixed and drums
beating.”
They
can now add leopards leaping after the Deputy Mayor of Gosford
City; Councillor Craig Doyle presented the ship with the council’s
flag, which depicts, in Heraldic terms, a pair of leopards rampant.
The ship’s Commanding Officer, LCDR Mandziy responded with
a framed photograph of the ship’s company taken on the bow
of the warship.
Several
hundred people watched as for the first time an RAN warship was
given the right of Freedom of Entry to Gosford.
Deputy
Mayor Doyle told the crowd how Gosford and its 160,000 residents
had adopted the ship just three years ago.
He
spoke of some earlier links with the RAN and how they remained
today.
To
the ship’s company Councillor Doyle said, “Thank you
for the commitment to your country and your people.”
Then,
with the RAN Band/Sydney playing and with their swords drawn and
bayonets fixed, LCDR Mandziy led his 40 officers and sailors off
down Mann Street, the main street of Gosford.
They
were followed by 25 cadets from TS Hawkesbury led by the Commanding
Officer, LEUT Lois McKenny and 20 members of the Hawkesbury Association
led by Mr Hugh McDonald.
Some
300 metres along the Local Area Police Commander, Supt Alan Clarke
stood in the centre of the road, put his hand up and demanded,
“Halt! Who goes there?”
LCDR
Mandziy replied that his ship’s company had permission to
march.
Supt
Clarke was able to read this permission from the scroll held out
by CPOCD John Palmer, escorted by LS Heath Winter and LS Shaun
Graham.
Supt
Clarke allowed the marchers to proceed.
Further
down Mann Street, CAPT Peter Murray, the commanding officer of
HMAS Watson and Councillor Doyle, waited on a kerbside podium
to review the marchers.
The
march concluded off Erina Street with the playing of the Australian
National Anthem.
Mr
George Miller the retiring president of the Hawkesbury Association
and LEUT McKenny addressed the reception.
Gosford’s links with the RAN and in particular Hawkesbury
began in 1944. The 2120 ton River Class frigate HMAS Hawkesbury
doing her workup entered the Hawkesbury River (which forms the
southern boundary of the City of Gosford) then steamed into Brisbane
Water to meet the city fathers.
In
1994 that visit was replicated using the Lady Kendall.
Meanwhile
the cadet training ship Hawkesbury had been founded with a depot
built on the western shore of the Brisbane Water.
This
cadet unit has 40 vibrant members aged from 12 to 19. LEUT McKenny
told the reception her predecessor, LEUT Pat Marsh, had been instrumental
in having Gosford City adopt the new warship and for the “Freedom
of Entry” to be granted.
