Council grants Air Force Cadets Freedom of Entry to city
Date published: 17 September 2025
Townsville’s 1 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) will be granted Freedom of Entry to the city as part of the Wing’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
Townsville City councillors voted unanimously today to approve the Wing’s Freedom of Entry exercise on Saturday, 27 September.
The parade will commence at 9:30am, with a one-hour ceremony scheduled to take place followed by a formal parade traversing the Jezzine Barracks Parade Ground to Cook and Isley Streets, and back.
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the symbolic gesture was all about acknowledging 1 Wing’s long-standing history of service across North Queensland.
“Freedom of Entry is not just a march through the city, it’s a show of trust in and gratitude for 1 Wing for their many decades of service across our region,” Cr Greaney said.
“Headquartered at RAAF Base Townsville, 1 Wing has a long-standing presence in the North and plays a significant role in youth development and community engagement through its cadet program.
“We are pleased to grant them this Freedom of Entry to the city to help celebrate their 75th anniversary, and also to highlight Townsville’s ongoing commitment to supporting Defence-related organisations and youth development initiatives.”
Cr Greaney said the Freedom of Entry event would be “quite the spectacle”, with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, guidon/colours flying and a band playing. The parade will also include a challenge by Queensland Police Service.
She encouraged the public to head down to the Jezzine Barracks Parade Ground to witness and enjoy the occasion.
For more information visit Council's Freedom of Entry page.
