The Australian Army celebrated the Queen’s Birthday over the weekend (12 June) with a traditional Queen’s Birthday Parade performed by the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC-D) in Canberra.
The Department of Defence said Corps of Staff Cadets were joined by Army leaders, dignitaries, family and friends for the ceremony.
“The Governor-General General (Retd) David Hurley, who graduated from RMC-D in 1975, was the reviewing officer for the parade,” the Department said.
“It was his first time attending the ceremony since being sworn into his role as Governor-General,” it said.
Commandant of the Royal Military College of Australia, Brigadier Ana Duncan, who graduated in the class of 1996, said the parade was a chance for staff cadets to continue a proud tradition.
“Since 1956, Duntroon has been trooping the Queen’s Colour,” Brigadier Duncan said.
“On the parade ground, the Queen’s Colour is deemed equal to the presence of Her Majesty The Queen herself,” she said.
Brigadier Duncan said taking part in the Queen’s Birthday Parade was a highlight for RMC-D staff cadets and was symbolic of the importance of Duntroon’s rich history, heritage and traditions.
Deputy Chief of the Army, Major General Anthony Rawlins said the Queen’s Birthday Parade was a welcome return to ceremonial events in the ACT after last year’s parade was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“The Australian Army is held in high regard by the Australian public and it’s fitting that we demonstrate our loyalty to the nation with the trooping of the Queen’s Colour,” Major General Rawlins said.
“The parade is also a demonstration of the professionalism the staff cadets apply to their training and is an event likely to be remembered fondly by every cadet for the rest of their lives,” he said.
