{"id":120411,"date":"2026-03-12T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/?p=120411"},"modified":"2026-03-11T18:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T07:21:36","slug":"naval-crew-set-to-march-through-vessels-namesake-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/news\/naval-crew-set-to-march-through-vessels-namesake-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Naval crew set to march through vessel’s namesake city"},"content":{"rendered":"

CONNECTING the community to its military heritage highlighted the importance of members of the HMAS Ballarat (II) visiting the area, the mayor said.<\/p>\n

The crew from the Anzac Class frigate bearing the city’s name will take part in a Freedom of Entry ceremony on Sunday 15 March from 10.30am.<\/p>\n

They will exercise this honour that was previously bestowed to them by marching through the city to the Cenotaph.<\/p>\n

“During the ceremony, the crew will march up Sturt Street with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying, which will be a powerful visual reminder of the historic bond between the navy and the people of Ballarat,” mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said.<\/p>\n

The ceremony, Cr Hargreaves said, was the highest ceremonial honour a city could bestow on a military unit.<\/p>\n

Ballarat’s 8th\/7th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment was also granted Freedom of Entry to the city in 1983.<\/p>\n

“The Freedom of Entry symbolises deep trust, mutual respect, and the strong ongoing relationship between Ballarat and its namesake vessel,” the mayor said.<\/p>\n

“The crew regularly participates in Anzac Day services, commemorative events, and civic activities within our municipality.”<\/p>\n

She said the ceremony acknowledged the traditions that connected residents to its defence force.<\/p>\n

“This event is important not only because it recognises the service and dedication of Australia’s navy personnel, but because it connects our community to its military heritage in a meaningful way,” Cr Hargreaves said.<\/p>\n

“These ceremonies endure because they continue to inspire civic pride, educate younger generations, and bring the community together to honour those who serve.”<\/p>\n

From 8am until 12pm, streets will be closed and then reopened as part of the ceremony.<\/p>\n

The west-bound lanes of Sturt Street from Grenville Street to Lyons Street South, and Armstrong Street South from Bath Lane to Sturt Street will be closed. Lyons Street South will be partially closed between Dana and Sturt streets.<\/p>\n

Sturt Street and all intersecting streets will be progressively reopened, commencing at Lydiard Street as the march passed.<\/p>\n

More information at ballarat.vic.gov.au.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CONNECTING the community to its military heritage highlighted the importance of members of the HMAS Ballarat (II) visiting the area, the mayor said. The crew from the Anzac Class frigate bearing the city’s name will take part in a Freedom of Entry ceremony on Sunday 15 March from 10.30am. They will exercise this honour that […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":250,"featured_media":120414,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-120411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nNaval crew set to march through vessel's namesake city - Ballarat Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Witness the HMAS Ballarat Freedom of Entry march on March 15. 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