jubilee

Royal Visit Record Glittering State event The Queen met more than 250 of the leading citizens of Queensland in a glittering function at Parliament House last night that is one of the highlights of Her Majesty's tour of the State. For- three-quarters of an hour, she and the Duke of Edinburgh received members of the judiciary, members and former members of the Executive Council, Members of Parliament, members of the Industrial Court, members of the services, consuls, and representatives of the churches. Cheers from the thousands of people waiting in George Street for the Royal Couple to drive to Parliament House and a fanfare from the Northern Command Band heralded their approach. Before the television cameras, movies and Press cameras, the Queen and the Duke shook hands with a succession of 262 people. In boll gown Her .M a j e s t y was escorted into the Legislative Council by the Premier (Mr. Gair), followed by the Duke and Mrs. Gair, and the remainder of the Royal party. The Queen wore a strapless gown of parchment satin, with a trail of white roses on the skirt outlined in green. It was the second appearance of this gown in Australia as she wore it to the Lord Mayor's ball in Sydney. Her Majesty wore her favorite tiara of diamond fleur de lis, a wedding gift from her late grandmother, Queen Mary. Her jewelry included diamond stud earrings, a diamond necklace and bracelet, and a true lovers' knot of diamonds fastened the sash of the Order of the Garter at the back. Miss Mavis Brown, 13, a pupil of the Dutton Park Opportunity School, Dutton Park presented Her Majesty with a bouquet in the form of the Queensland coat of arms. After Her Majesty and the Duke left the Legislative Council, they went to the Legislative Assembly to sign the visitors' book and then appeared on the balcony before the thousands of people outside Parliament House grounds. On her return to the Legislative Council guests clapped her on her way through to the official supper in the Premier's suite adjoining the Council chamber. Source: Brisbane Telegraph, 10 May 1954 trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218352786?searchTerm=%...

Making history: New Queen's first visit to Mackay A public holiday was declared so thousands could welcome the newly crowned Queen to Mackay. Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News. Follow IN 1954 Mackay's streets and buildings were festooned with archways, flags and lights set up to brighten the city for the special occasion of the visit to Mackay of the reigning monarchs, her royal majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip. The visit attracted approximately 30,000 people to the Mackay showgrounds on March 15, 1954, with many more lining the tour route. Prior to the Mackay visit, the royal couple sailed through the Great Barrier Reef, on board The Gothic, before transferring to the HMAS Anzac. Royal Cruises sent a message to The Gothic to welcome the royal couple while cruising nearby. The message was "Welcome on your visit to Mackay waters”. A reply to Roylen Cruises read "Thank you very much. Sorry it is so short”. The royal couple, on the Anzac, arrived at the Mackay Harbour breast wharf at 10.30 am to a welcome by the chairman of the Pioneer Shire Council, Herbert Woodyard, his fellow councillors and shire clerk along with the chairman of the Mackay Harbour Board, board members and their wives. The couple then went for a tour of Mackay Harbour, North Mackay and Cremorne, heading along Harbour Road and Barnes Creek Road before progressing across the Forgan Bridge into Sydney Street. The royal entourage proceeded along Victoria Street, to the Mackay showgrounds. Many royal admirers stood along the route to see the royal couple. Some 20 cars from Mackay and the surrounding district were used for the 1954 Mackay visit. Cars from the local taxi firm 'Robbies Taxis' were also used for the royal progress which included members of the royal household and Navy personnel. Two cars were flown into Mackay from Cairns for use by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. Eight police motorcycles were used as an escort for the special royal visitors. Entertainment was provided at the showgrounds by Mackay Girl Guides, Mackay Junior Choral Society and West Mackay Convent School students. Brownies, Girl Guides and Rangers from Bowen, Proserpine and Sarina also entertained. A reported 7000 students attended the Mackay showgrounds event. Space for those attending was provided in the show ring, around the ring and in the now recently demolished grandstand. A public address system, 26 speakers and 12 special radios tuned into then Mackay radio station Radio 4QA (now ABC Tropical North) were installed at the showgrounds to allow those to listen in to the proceedings. A special royal dais was also constructed at the showgrounds for the visit. Her Royal Highness was presented with a bouquet of Mackay-grown orchids by Daphne Newman, the granddaughter of Jack Binnington. The orchids had been carefully nurtured by the Queen's Park curator, Mr Bell. At 12.05 pm, the royal couple left the showgrounds and headed for the Mackay Airport, then to Casey Avenue, where the Mackay Pipe Band performed. There were 3000-plus people at the farewell to the royal couple, who were leaving for Rockhampton on a TAA Royal Convair. It was the first visit by the couple to Mackay since the crowning of her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. Source: www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/making-hist...

The triumphant 1954 tour was to be the first of a total of eight visits she would make to Queensland. On the first visit, Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and spent seven days in Queensland. Public holidays were declared and people turned out in their thousands to see the Royal couple. From childhood, The Queen was held in great affection by Queenslanders and was respected and admired throughout her long and successful reign for the impeccable, gracious and dignified service she gave. Source: www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/government-house/office-of-the-go...