2022

Ceremony Order

The below was accompanied by Auslan interpreters.

11:30am – Ceremonies Master Introduction

The Ceremonies Master is Anna Choy. She gives a preview of the event before introducing the performers & dignitaries. Dignitaries included:

• Australian Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Mark Hammond and,
• Forces Commander, Major-General Matt Pearce.

11:32am – New South Wales Governor Arrival

The NSW Governor in 2022 was Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beazley. She arrived accompanied by her husband, Mr Dennis Wilson and an Australian Army officer. 3 other Australian Army officers welcomed her to the Salute To Australia. Her arrival featured a smoking ceremony by Matthew Doyle, a proud Muruwari songman, to cleanse the path of her arrival to the guard inspection podium.

11:34am – Guard Inspection

This was accompanied by a fast march instrumental cover of the national anthem, Advance Australia Fair by the Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney Wind Band.

Afterwards, the NSW Governor greeted the dignitaries.

11:37am – Welcome To Country

This was conducted by Yvonne Weldon, Deputy Chairperson of the Metropolitain Local Aboriginal Land Council.

11:41am – Speech

Spoken by Clarence Slockie, the speech was about Patragang, Lieutenant William Dawes and the significance of the land at Hickson Road Reserve.

11:45am – NSW Governor’s Address

You can find a transcript of the address here.

11:50am – Affirmation Video

This video showed some of Australia’s newest citizens telling the journey of their journey to become an Australian citizen before each of them state the affirmation of citizenship to the camera.

11:53am – I Am Australian performance

This cover of I Am Australian was performed by The Monty Saint Angelo Mercy College Choir featuring Matthew Doyle & The Royal Australian Navy Sydney Wind Band.

11:56am – The Salute To Australia

It begins with the saluting Navy ship, HMAS Parramatta, using its horns to call the ship’s crew to attention to perform a Procedure Alpha. This sees most of the crew, in full dress uniform, equally spaced apart, picking a spot to stand to attention on the exterior of the ship facing outwards. Underneath the south-eastern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Milsons Point in Bradfield Park, the Australian Army performs a 21-gun salute as the Royal Australian Navy Sydney Wind Band performs a musical piece accompanied by radio communications between Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman & Sydney Approach air traffic control on whether he is cleared to do a flypast and display of his F35 Lightning II jet aircraft. At the time, he was the only pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force who can do display flights of the F35 Lightning II jet aircraft.

The Salute To Australia concluded with a performance of the National Anthems, Yirribana Australiagal & Advance Australia Fair, performed by The Monty Saint Angelo Mercy College Choir featuring Matthew Doyle & The Royal Australian Navy Sydney Wind Band. The performance of Advance Australia Fair was accompanied by 10 jetskiiers heading towards Circular Quay holding, in alternation, the Australian National & Aboriginal Flags. which ended with a flypast of an F35 Lightning II jet aircraft with its pilot, Flight Lieutenant Ross Bowman, via radio, wishing everyone a Happy Australia Day on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force. The Guard then leaves the event.

12:03pm – F35 Lightning II Handling Display

This was accompanied by commentary (also done as a question-and-answer session by Ceremonies Master, Anna Choy) from Australian Air Commander, Air Vice-Marshal, V.J. Iervasi.

12:08pm – Waltzing Matilda Instrumental Performance

This was performed by The Royal Australian Navy Sydney Wind Band.

12:11pm – You’re The Voice Instrumental Performance

This was performed by The Royal Australian Navy Sydney Wind Band.

12:15pm – Ceremonies Master Conclusion

This concluded the public Salute To Australia event and broadcast. The event continued privately as a citizenship ceremony.