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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...

In 1954, the royals visited 57 towns and cities during the 58 days they spent in Australia. They traversed the country by plane, train, ship, and car from Cairns in the north, Broken Hill in the west to Hobart in the south. Their children, Prince Charles (aged five years) and Princess Anne (aged three years) did not accompany them on the exhausting trip. Source: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/1954-royal-tour-queen-elizabeth-ii

‘In Brisbane’s sunshine’ Thousands of Queenslanders greeted the Queen with great enthusiasm and informality. Through speeches and exhibitions, Queensland was portrayed as rich in natural resources and agriculture with great potential for long-term prosperity. At a parliamentary luncheon held in Brisbane on 10 March, the Premier talked of the major rural industries of Queensland including wool, sugar, beef, and dairy, as well as the coalfields of Blair Athol and the Callide Valley. Although the Royal couple were in the State for only nine days they covered a significant distance and the areas they visited displayed the resources and achievements of that region. In Toowoomba, prized livestock of the district was paraded for the Royal couple at a reception at the Athletic Oval. At a Civic Ball held at the Brisbane City Hall on 10 March, flora and fauna of Queensland were brought directly to the Royal pair where a representation of a rainforest, complete with flowers, foliage and waterfall was set up. The simulated gum tree provided a temporary home for nine koalas. Source: www.qhatlas.com.au/content/queen-queensland-1954