… with swords drawn, drums beating, flags flying and bands playing …

July 11, 2017

An ancient ceremony that grants a trusted military force the right to enter a town was re-enacted in Kingaroy on Saturday with much pomp and circumstance.

The trusted troops were from the Defence Force School Of Signals Electronic Warfare Wing, which trains at the Borneo Barracks at Cabarlah.

Accompanied by an Australian Army Band from Brisbane, the signallers marched up Youngman Street and Haly Street until they were brought to a halt by Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Prendergast, who was representing Kingaroy Police.

The police officer challenged the marchers who replied quite truthfully they had been granted the Freedom of Entry to Kingaroy.

(A motion to this effect was passed by the South Burnett Regional Council in February.)

This right entitled the signallers to enter Kingaroy on all ceremonial occasions “with swords drawn, drums beating, flags flying and bands playing …”

Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Prendergast acknowledged that Council had granted them the right, and let the marchers past.

The parade then turned into Glendon Street where the troops assembled in front of the official guests for the formal part of the ceremony.

The Defence Force School Of Signals Electronic Warfare Wing (formerly known as the Joint Telecommunications School) was formed in 1986.

It trains personnel from the three Defence arms and an average of 350 students graduate every year.

The school is no stranger to the South Burnett.

On November 11, 1993, it was the first training unit to be granted Freedom of Entry to Nanango Shire, and since then members have taken part in many local ceremonies.

They have now added Kingaroy to their home territory …

Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Prendergast challenges the marchers in Haly Street, Kingaroy
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington
Acting Officer-in-Charge of Kingaroy Police, Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Prendergast
The Australian Army Band (Brisbane) accompanied the Defence Force School of Signals in their march through Kingaroy
Master of Ceremonies John Carey kept the event flowing from the main dais
And bayonets fixed … sunlight glints as the Defence Force School Of Signals personnel parade in Glendon Street
Wakka Wakka Elder and Vietnam veteran Eric Law with Lieutenant Andrew Nicholls
Former Wondai Mayor Percy Iszlaub with South Burnett Deputy Mayor Cr Kathy Duff
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell was invited to inspect the assembled troops
A special guest at the ceremony was Mr David McCarthy, second from left, from Toowoomba; David’s son Sean – who trained at Borneo Barracks, Cabarlah – was killed in 2008 when the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan … Mr McCarthy is pictured with Mayor Keith Campbell, his wife Marion and son Craig, left, a serving officer in the defence force
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with Connor Hyde (Year 9 at St John’s), St Mary’s school captain Sajeewa Ranasinghe, and Kingaroy State High School school captain Jenna Christensen
Lieutenant Andrew Nicholls, Warrant Officer Rick Cartwright and Sergeant Rob Staley

 

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