Freedom of the city of Port Adelaide

On Australia's first ever Merchant Navy Day on September 3, Port Adelaide become the first port in the world to grant the Freedom of the City to the Merchant Navy.

The South Australian Governor, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR and Mrs Liz Scarce were special guests at the ceremony.

Port Adelaide's unique ceremony took place after a Community March and Commemoration to celebrate Merchant Navy Day.

The event came out of the Rudd Labour Government's electoral promise to give long overdue recognition to the Merchant Navy's vital role in the very existence of Australia by proclaiming September 3 as annual national Merchant Navy Day.

The Port Adelaide event was strongly supported by the Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs, Alan Griffin MP, and local MHR, Mark Butler, MP.

In peacetime all of Australia's vital needs from oil imports to commodities exports are transported by the Merchant Navy and in wartime its troops and military supplies.

The first man killed in World War One was a merchant seaman from the crew of a brigantine and in World War Two merchant seamen were the first and last men killed.

Merchant Navy and Maritime Union of Australia veterans and other serving and former merchant seamen and waterside workers marched with RSL veterans and the Merchant Navy Association, Vindicatrix Association, South Australian Maritime Museum, National Trust and Mt Gambier residents linked with the Admella 150 Festival.

The march along Queens Wharf on the Port River finished at The Navigator memorial which tells the story of South Australia's worst ever shipwreck, the sinking of the SS Admella 149 years ago.

Spectators included teachers and students from local schools and many local families with a seafaring history.

South Australia's new Minister For Veterans Affairs, Michael Atkinson, City of Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor, Gary Johanson, and International Transport Federation Director, Dean Summers,representing the Maritime Union of Australia, addressed the marchers, followed by a short service by new Port Chaplain, Robin Trebilcock.

One of Australia's best piper Don Macauley played Abide With Me.

The world renowned SA Pipes and Drums band led the march with a contingent from RAN Headquarters South Australia paying tribute to its sister service.

September 3 was also Battle for Australia Day in which the RAN and Merchant Navy played a vital role throughout the Pacific and military veterans also took part in the Port Adelaide march.

At 4 pm the Mayor of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, Gary Johanson, presented a large symbolic key and charter to former merchant seaman and Maritime Museum volunteer Keith Ridgeway and the crew of the veteran tug Yelta at a Civic Centre reception attended by 60 guests.

The key and the charter will go on display in the Port Adelaide Seafarers Centre and become part of the port's rich maritime history.