By Helen Page
Perhaps other readers will be feeling, as I do, that the world has shifted slightly this week… and will never be quite the same again.
Whether people knew Elizabeth II personally, revered her as their Queen, or simply followed the media reports for the last 70 years, she was part of our understanding of the world and a constant in our lives.
As children, my sister and I were avid fans of the Royal family, and more particularly of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. We made scrapbooks from magazine photos, loved seeing them in newsreels occasionally at the “pictures”, and one of my favourite books was a history of the Royal Family which included a succession chart spanning over 1000 years from the Saxon kings to the Windsors.
There was a fever of anticipation about the 1954 Royal Tour. We were so thrilled; this was the first time a reigning monarch had visited Australia and everyone wanted to see the Queen. My father and uncle had bought a pineapple farm at Beerwah after the Second World War, and the only vehicle they had was a farm truck. So, our family set off to Brisbane in the truck, my parents, aunt and uncle squashed into the front and all the kids in the back. We saw her from two vantage points, and it was without doubt the most exciting thing we had ever done!
As the years passed, I came to admire the Queen, not just as the beautiful princess of my childhood, but as a steadfast and inspiring public figure. She has proved to be a woman of strong faith, dignity and unfailing dedication to the role she pledged herself to fulfill. Through good times and bad, despite national and personal adversity, Queen Elizabeth’s work ethic, courage and stoicism were an example to all.
A famous radio broadcast on her 21st birthday included this pledge:
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.” Few people have ever more thoroughly fulfilled a promise.
Amid the sadness this week it has been a joy to hear on radio and TV the personal stories and anecdotes from people who met her in many different circumstances, from Presidents and Prime Ministers, to community representatives and her loyal staff.
There was an interesting Facebook post from the Associated Country Women of the World: “Today marks the passing of the world’s longest-serving female Head of State. A long-term member of ACWW Member Society the Women’s Institutes of England and Wales, HM Queen Elizabeth II led a long and committed life of public service …”
This represents so clearly her philosophy of service, and a belief in the role of institutions like the WI (and our QCWA) to help keep communities together. On further research I found that the Queen was a member of the Women’s Institute Sandringham Branch for almost eighty years, attended meetings when in that part of the country, and as the current vice-president has said, “She is simply one of us.”
“She was a loyal and dedicated member of the WI for 80 years, and never failed to show her support for us throughout her time as Queen. We thank her for her dedication, service and fellowship.”
The Queen’s sense of duty was awe-inspiring, exemplified last week when she carried out the official swearing in of Britain’s new PM, Liz Truss. We know she had been unwell, and in the photo she appears very frail, but she must have been determined to get up, get dressed, and do her duty. Looking elegant, composed and smiling, she welcomed her new Prime Minister. Then, having carried out this important public duty, two days later she was gone.
Queen Elizabeth’s sense of humour is well known, and her delightful tea party with Paddington Bear during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations is a moment to treasure. As Paddington said: “Thank you ma’am, for everything.”
Tributes flow after death of Queen
TRIBUTES across the Sunshine Coast are flowing following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Residents wanting to pay tribute are encouraged to do so via the official state condolence book at www.qld.gov.au.
The Queen visited Australia 16 times including the Sunshine Coast in March 2002 as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, said her passing was very sad.
“A truly remarkable, selfless woman. It is true to say, she is absolutely irreplaceable,” he said.
Member for Glasshouse Andrew Powell said: “At her passing the extraordinary, wise, witty and calming reign of our extraordinary monarch comes to an end.”
“Her life of service has been an example to many.”
Caloundra MP Jason Hunt said: “The Queen was a great source of comfort and assurance to us all through Her Majesty’s long reign.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson, said: “Her Majesty embodied and exemplified the principles of public service, compassion and care for everyone she met and her enduring sense of purpose in promoting goodwill, respect and tolerance.”