We welcomed members of the USS Canberra and HMAS Canberra crew at the USS Committee Reception at Sydney Opera House and again in Canberra for the Freedom of Entry ceremony. Canberrans braved the cold to gather in numbers to watch the parade which symbolises trust and loyalty between a city and a unit.
We continued celebrations at King O’Malleys and other local establishments around the city.
Special thanks to Senator Marise Payne, US Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Australian War Memorial, ACT Government, US Embassy in Australia, Brendan Smyth ACT Commissioner for International Engagement, Kevin Quaderer, Emma Gowling, Peter and Dorothy Barclay, Ward Cook and many more who contributed to this historical ceremony.
Read Ambassador Caroline Kennedy’s transcript at the commissioning of the USS Canberra here: http://bitly.ws/RWfx
