LIAM DURKIN
By LIAM DURKIN
AUSTRALIANS awoke Friday morning to news Queen Elizabeth II had died.
The Queen died peacefully in her Scottish estate on Thursday night, 8.30pm local time.
She was 96.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest serving British Monarch, with her reign spanning 70 years after taking the throne in 1952 aged 25.
Her eldest son Charles is now King.
The Queen is being remembered as a Monarch of absolute integrity, who served the Commonwealth with great decorum amid many significant world events.
Her tenure oversaw recovery in post-war Britain, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War, and the UK’s entry into and withdrawal from the European Union.
During her time, the UK had 15 Prime Ministers, and Australia 16.
Arguably the most telling moment for The Queen in Australian history was the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975.
While The Queen herself did not sack Whitlam, she has forever been tied to the tumultuous event.
Parliament had become deadlocked after the Senate, where Whitlam did not have a majority, refused to pass a series of crucial Bills.
This constitutional crisis came to a head when Whitlam was dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr.
Kerr could have had Whitlam removed by The Queen, but given The Queen’s requirement to remain neutral in political affairs, such action would have breached this precedence.
Addressing the nation, Whitlam famously said: “Well may we say God Save The Queen, because nothing will save the Governor-General”.
The words God save The Queen are synonymous with the opening line of the English National Anthem.
God Save The Queen has had two stints as Australia’s national anthem. It was used up until 1974, before being replaced by Advance Australia Fair.
In 1976, God Save The Queen was reinstated, only to once again be replaced with Advance Australia Fair in 1984.
More locally, The Queen has had some connection to Latrobe Valley residents.
Older readers will surely remember The Queen’s visit to Traralgon.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh came to Gippsland in 1954, spending time in Warragul, Traralgon and Yallourn.
Moments of that occasion were captured by local papers, with an incredible 20 pages dedicated to the coverage in the Traralgon Journal.
The Royal Family waved to well wishes, who lined the streets to see them in the flesh. Some 30,000 people were estimated among the Traralgon crowd.
Photographs of the day still adorn the walls of the Warragul old shire hall, now used by the historical society.
Interestingly, the itinerary showed the Royal Family was only in Traralgon for 30 minutes, but stopped by Yallourn for well over an hour. If ever there was an indication to just how pristine the old Yallourn township was, surely that was it.
The Queen was only 28 at the time of her Gippsland visit. One can only imagine the heightened security that would be seen if the same event was held today.
Morwell-raised cricketer Peter Siddle met The Queen on at least three occasions, playing a test match for Australia at Lords in 2009, 2013 and 2019.
The Queen would traditionally be introduced to members of the team by the captain of the respective sides.
Staying with the sporting theme, the Royal Family visited the MCG for the opening game of the 1970 VFL season between Richmond and Fitzroy.
Her Majesty was introduced to players from both teams. Among the Richmond line-up was Francis Bourke, who later worked as a relief newsagent in Trafalgar.
Music lovers who have been to a concert of the band Queen will know they, fittingly, end all shows with a rock n’ roll version of God Save The Queen.
For those wondering just how powerful The Queen, and now The King, are: they can dissolve parliament, legitimise laws, pardon criminals and declare war.
The King or Queen does not need a drivers licence, passport or have to pay tax.
Technically, all unmarked swans in open water in the UK belong to The Queen.
All in all, The Queen/The King is head of state in the UK, Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinee, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Island and Tuvalu.
Those countries and many joined in the global mourning.
THE death of of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.
His Majesty The King, Charles III
IT is my solemn duty to inform you that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away on the eighth of September 2022 at Balmoral in the United Kingdom.
I have informed the Prime Minister, and the Australian government will advise on the arrangements for national mourning and other arrangements in the coming days.
I pass on our condolences to the members of the Royal Family.
I join all Australians in mourning and reflecting on Her Majesty’s tireless service.
She was truly a remarkable person.
Governor-General David Hurley
WITH the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family and service has come to and end.
The Government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother – the person for whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.
Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
ON behalf of our Government, and every Victorian, we offer our deep condolences to His Majesty King Charles III,
The Royal Family, and all those mourning the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Very few of us know a world without The Queen in it.
Her presence spanned countries, cultures, language, and continents – her reign transcended decades and generations.
And like no monarch before her, she captured our hearts and our affection.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews
AS we mourn the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II let us take inspiration from a life of dedicated service to duty.
Her Majesty was a constant reassuring force and pillar of strength during the pivotal events which have shaped the world during her extraordinary reign.
As the first ruling monarch to visit Australia in 1954, she was cheered and adored across the country including here in Gippsland, when she visited Sale, Traralgon, Yallourn and Warragul.
Her Majesty returned to our shores 15 times more including in 2011 where I was fortunate enough to have a brief encounter with her in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
I told her: “Thank you your Majesty, you bring a lot of joy to many people.”
Sadly, that joy has left us after 96 years.
May she Rest In Peace.
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester
WE join with Anglicans around the world in praying for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and her family.
The Queen is Head of State of 17 countries; and has been Head of State of others during her life. She is also Head of the Commonwealth. All of these areas are served by one or more of the 42 Churches of the Anglican Communion.
We pray for God’s presence to strengthen and support The Queen, the Royal Family, and those who are caring for Her Majesty.
Anglican Communion
God Save The Queen
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen
O Lord our God arise
Scatter our enemies
And make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On thee our hopes we fix
God save us all
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour
Long may she reign
May she defend our laws
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen
