Warramunga enters Tennant Creek
Waramungu people grant Freedom of Entry to tribal lands

Top: Ms Francine McCarthy of the Julalikiri Aboriginal Corporation presents HMAS Warramunga with the Freedon of Entry to Warumungu Tribal Lands. Below: The Challenge. Halt! Who is it who comes with banners flying, drums beating and swords drawn?

ABOVE: Members of the crew formed up with the Colours, Guard and Band. Below: Eyes right for the salute as the crew parades in Tennant Creek.

By LCDR Dean Powell
Over the May long weekend, 30 members of HMAS Warramunga and 12 members of the RAN Band Melbourne Detachment took part in a Freedom of Entry ceremony at Tennant Creek and Warumungu Tribal Lands in the Northern Territory.

The group also took part in other events that further enhanced the relationship between the frigate, the Warumungu people and the town.

The novel use of two scrolls (one for the Tennant Creek Town Council and one for the Warumungu Tribe) and hence two challenges, enhanced the ceremony and once again demonstrated the close links between the Town Council and the traditional owners.

The challenge by the Warumungu people was done in traditional manner in tribal costume while the challenge by the Senior Police Officer was more in keeping with the standard Freedom of Entry ceremony.

After the ceremony the Navy group was hosted at a reception in the Civic Hall.

The buffet was accompanied by members of the RAN band playing jazz music, while the Warumungu people put on an excellent display of tribal dancing.

To commemorate the event the Navy group presented the Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation with a framed Warramunga print signed by them all. It will be displayed in the newly built Nyinkka Nyunyu Cultural Centre.

On the evening of May 2 the RAN Band performed at the Battery Hill Mining Centre. The performance was at a site on the second highest point in Tennant Creek that took in views of the Town and the sunset. The band performed a range of music for a crowd of around 200, as well as the Warramunga sailors.

The Freedom of Entry was a resounding success. The Warumungu people and Town Council were once again very receptive to the Navy and genuinely delighted to once again be involved with HMAS Warramunga.

Warramunga is in the very rare position of being the adopted ship of two town/cities. Port Adelaide/Enfield has also adopted Warramunga and every opportunity is currently being examined for the ship to conduct a Freedom of Entry to Port Adelaide/Enfield as soon as she can secure a visit.

.