817 SQN farewells Goolwa, 26 February 2011

Two Sea King helicopters and approximately 75 personnel from Navy’s 817 Squadron, farewelled Goolwa, their adopted hometown today in their final Freedom of Entry Parade through the town.

817 SQN Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Moggach said the opportunity to visit Goolwa one last time before the Sea Kings were finally retired from service, was an honour for the personnel of the Squadron.

“The Sea Kings first visited Goolwa in 1987.  Since then, the Squadron has revisited theRiverPorttown on a number of occasions and completed three Freedom of Entry Parades,”CMDR Moggach said.

“Our visit to Goolwa also coincides with the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival for 2011. Some of our personnel will provide a Ceremonial Guard during the opening by the South Australian Governor and we will also conduct a fly past.  The public will have the opportunity to meet personnel from the Squadron and view the Sea Kings.

“The people of Goolwa have embraced our Squadron and over the years we have built a strong relationship with them.  We have enjoyed the long association with the town and feel privileged to be able to say goodbye in the year of our decommissioning.”

817 SQN personnel will provide a ceremonial guard for the opening of the 2011 South Australian Wooden Boat festival following the Freedom of Entry Parade.

817 Squadron will conduct a memorial service and Ceremonial Sunset commencing at the Goolwa RSL Club on Saturday evening.  The visit will conclude on Sunday with a Search and Rescue demonstration as part of the Wooden Boat Festival.

The Freedom of Entry Parade will commence at 1025 at the Council Chambers atCadell  Street.

Imagery of the Parade and Ceremonial Guard at the Opening of the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival will be available in the Defence Image Library (www.defence.gov.au) from Monday 28 February 2011. Vision will be fed via Parliament House.

Media contacts:

LEUT Kelli Lunt, Public Affairs Officer 0428 973 656

Allan Cole, Regional Manager Public Affairs – South Australia 08 8305 6427 or 0417 887 040

Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664