Wellington Shire Council's vision is for happy people, healthy environment and thriving communities.
After Hours Emergency
1300 366 244On Saturday 18 October, Defence personnel will once again march down Raymond St, commencing at 8am, in a display of honour and connection.
Freedom of Entry is the highest honour a city can bestow upon a military unit, symbolising trust, respect and a shared history. The tradition dates back centuries to the days of walled European cities, where entry was tightly guarded and only granted to trusted military forces. Sale first granted this honour to the RAAF Base East Sale in 1959, with the most recent parade held in 2016.
Sale’s connection to Defence is deeply rooted in history. As early as 1885, the city hosted detachments of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, cementing its role in Gippsland’s Light Horse tradition. During the First World War, nearly 80 men and women from Sale served, including Trooper Edward Randolph Cleaver, who died in the legendary charge at Beersheba in 1917.
This legacy continued through the Second World War and into the post-war era, with Sale remaining a key centre for the Light Horse. Today, the 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment carries forward this proud Gippsland heritage.
The relationship between Defence and the Sale community is not just historical - it is lived every day. Defence personnel and their families are integral to local schools, sporting clubs, businesses and the community’s broader way of life.
The Freedom of Entry march is not only a tribute to this enduring legacy but also a celebration of the bond between Defence and the community. Wellington Shire Council welcomes all residents to join in this momentous occasion and honour the servicemen and women who have shaped the community’s shared history.
A section of Raymond St will be closed for the procession between 6am to 10am on Saturday morning.
To further celebrate the connection between Defence and the Sale community, on Sunday 19 October, the Army will host a community day at Brennan Park, Sale, from 9am-11am, featuring living history displays, interactive activities, refreshments, a jumping castle, coffee van and sausage sizzle held by Sale Lions Club.