CONDOLENCE – HRH QUEEN ELIZABETH II
The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has made many of us reflect.
For so many of us the Queen was a constant in all our lives.
In times of prosperity and in times of hardship, during even our most difficult days she has been there as a constant to inspire hope and joy, resilience, and grace.
The countless remarks of her loyalty, devotion to duty, and commitment to her family, country, territories and realms has been heart-warming during such an emotional time.
On the 9th of February, 1954 she visited the Hunter region traveling to Newcastle and then ventured on to Port Stephens that same day to visit Newcastle Airport at Williamtown, home to RAAF Base Williamtown in my electorate of Paterson.
Unusually, the weather that day was not good however it was well reported that the Queen ignored concerns for the weather and insisted her visit proceed as planned – one can assume she was pretty used to bad weather at home.
She had already visited Newcastle, where six double-decker buses had taken excited children from the Raymond Terrace School to the Newcastle Showground. They, along with other children from other district schools, made a guard of honour at the gates of the Showground which took the form of the words: “Welcome to our Gracious Queen”.
It’s been reported by the Newcastle Herald that around 44,000 schoolchildren attended Newcastle Showground to meet her Majesty.
This has been a lasting memory for many Hunter families in our region inspiring a joy and an appreciation for our system of Government, our Monarch and indeed this pillar of our National identity.
I wanted to share a reflection made by Mrs Gouch in the condolence book for her Majesty at my office in Raymond Terrace.
“Our deepest sympathy to all the family.
“It was my Husbands honour to open the door for her Majesty and Princess Royal in Newcastle as a Queens Scout.
“Thank you and may you rest in peace.
Her Majesty then travelled through Fern Bay in Port Stephens. This was the first country township and Shire that Her Majesty and Prince Phillip passed through on their Australian tour. As her Daimler went through the streets lined with people, the car slowed down to about ten miles an hour where people could easily see the Queen smiling and waving to them through the window as she passed. She was so committed to seeing the people that had turned out she ended up being 22 minutes late to the Williamtown aerodrome.
There she was met by the President of Port Stephens Shire, Cr. Shearman and Mrs Shearman, the Commandant of Williamtown aerodrome, Group Captain and Mrs Davis, the Minister for Lands, Mr Hawkins and Mrs Hawkins.
During the course of her three hour visit, she attended a civic reception, she made two speeches, she attended a gathering of ex-servicemen, she saw thousands of school children, and visited the iconic steel works.
When they visited the steelworks, Mr E. J. Power, in charge of the coke gas regulator, was asked by the Duke whether it was a good place to work. He replied with that classic Aussie way of framing a reply in the negative. “It couldn’t be too bad, or a man wouldn’t stay 30 years”.
On conclusion of the trip there was some question whether they could fly to Evans Head, but they decided to do it with the T.A.A. Convair flying blind for most of the trip.
Later that evening, the News correspondent covering the Queen’s visit called the Newcastle trip “sheer madness”. She doubted that the Queen would be able to remember anything of the whirlwind tour.
But as many of the locals remarked it was a fulfilling trip that would leave a lasting imprint on communities across the Hunter.
Later on that year, The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rvd Batty and his wife attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Contrary to those media reports, he and his wife recounted that both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip remembered every detail of their trip. They had been delighted with the welcome they had received and were sorry they could not have stayed longer. Queen Elizabeth, with Prince Philip her consort by her side, was truly a gracious and committed monarch.
Many in my electorate based in the magnificent Hunter Region of New South Wales share Her Majesty’s love of horses and how these majestic creatures enhance our lives. Her early love of riding continued right up until she was 90 years old. This is extraordinary. And as anyone who rides will tell you riding side-saddle is another skill altogether. I too share that joy.
She describes the moment she touched the ‘satin softness’ of a thoroughbred’s nose.
This was after the Second World War when she visited the royal horses training in Wiltshire. She was hooked.
She inherited the Royal Stud from her father and this led to her interest in horse breeding and racing. She loved the whole breeding and racing process.
As John Warren, her racing manager said. It was in her DNA, She understood the characteristics of temperament, stamina, and speed.
She gave them names like Duty Bound, Discretion and Constitution. Her first winner was Monaveen over the jumps at Fontnell Park. In 2013 her horse, Estimate, won Ascot. I can only imagine the primary reason she loved this success was because it was something she had done, herself, without any recourse to her inherited titles or wealth. When we saw the Queen at the races or riding her horses, we were seeing Elizabeth, the person.
Her interest in the Commonwealth and her realms and territories was real and without pretence. She loved Australia and commented on how quickly it grew and flourished in her lifetime.
As it was the case with all of her loves, she took great pride in our nation’s development and progression.
Whether it was her Job, her family or her animals, she was a woman of dedication and loyalty.
I lost my own mother this year at the age of 90, while my mum’s life was a world away from the Queen’s she shared many traits. Both born in what is known as the “silent generation”.
They saw wars, depression, pandemic and a boggling progression in technology.
They hated waste, particularly of food, electricity and time, and placed great store in manners, punctuality, and work ethic.
They showed incredible stoicism and always thought of others before themselves.
On behalf of the people of Paterson, on behalf of my late mother, and on behalf of my family, I say thank you. Thank you for your service and thank you for your timeless, enduring leadership.
May you Rest in Peace.
