Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day in 1953.
This week the Canowindra community mourns the extraordinarily sad loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
For more than 70 years, through the darkest of days and in times of triumph, her Majesty devoted herself to her country and to the Commonwealth.
Throughout her extraordinary reign including her final hours, she epitomised service, duty, and dignity.
In a rapidly changing and often tumultuous world, she was a reassuring presence of continuity and calm.
The Queen toured Australia on sixteen separate occasions.
On the first of these visits, in 1954, the royals visited 57 towns and cities in the 58 days they spent in Australia – including a very lucky town in the Central West.
On February 12th 1954, the royal flight touched down at Raglan Aerodrome, and the Queen bid a big g’day to Bathurst.
A decade and a half later, on 28th April 1970, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Orange.
The Queen planted a tree on the eastern side of Robertson Park which still stands and toured the Email refrigerator factory in Edward Street – later known as Electrolux.
These visits show the Queen’s great fondness and interest in regional Australia, and created a strong and lasting connection between residents of the Central West and the royal family.
At 11am on Monday September 19th (8pm AEST) the Queen’s body will be taken from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral.
After that the Queen’s body will be taken to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle where she will be interred next to her husband, Prince Philip.
Her funeral will be attended by key world figures, including US President Joe Biden, and Commonwealth leaders. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley will attend.
The Queen ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe.
Over 70 years, Her Majesty was a dedicated Head of the Commonwealth, linking more than two billion people worldwide.
Immediately upon her passing, her eldest son, Prince Charles, became the new king.