A Successful Visit for Our Queen
The warm-hearted response of Australians to the royal visit shows what emotion a steadfast and committed monarch evokes from our nation. Everybody – even the staunchest republicans – admit that in our Queen we have a person who has fulfilled her role and promises made at her Coronation with the utmost fidelity, perseverance and commitment. Only three Monarchs in history have reached 80 years of age, and only a very few have reigned for more than fifty years.
She is an unique person and one of the most knowledgeably statespersons in the world. She has been advised by our last ten Prime Ministers and served by the last ten Governors General, not to mention a score of state Governors. She has every week discussed British matters for more than fifty-five years with every British Prime Minister from Sir Winston Churchill on.
What a woman! She keeps remarkably fit and healthy, keeps up an extensive correspondence with the world’s leaders, and has a daily schedule few could equal. Beverley and I have attended many functions in her presence over the years, and have spoken to her in answer to her interesting questions. She is very disciplined in her public appearances, eats very little at any gathering or dinner, and worships God in church every week.
This past week we saw her at the Sydney Opera House, and in the Commonwealth Day service in St Andrew’s Cathedral. We were privileged to be invited for a royal reception to “her home in Sydney” – Admiralty House – which is the Sydney home of the Governor General. Then Beverley and I drove to Canberra for the national dinner for The Queen. The Premier Morris Iemma and I were the only NSW Members of Parliament present. At this black-tie dinner I met with other Companions of the Order of Australia which includes all of the State Governors, past Prime Ministers, past Governors General, High Court judges, and so on. I have the privilege of being the only member of any State or Federal Parliaments to be a Companion of the Order, Australia’s highest national honour. It was a very enjoyable evening. During this week we have had opportunities to speak with our Prime Minister as well. He takes a very keen and friendly interest in all our doings.
On April 21st, The Queen will turn 80 years of age. We will never see her like again. We thank God for her life and leadership to the British Commonwealth and to this country.
I am jointly organising and hosting a celebration church service in St Stephens Macquarie Street, (at 11am) and a luncheon in Parliament House with Philip Benwell, Chief Executive of the Australian Monarchist League, on Her Majesty’s birthday. If you want to attend either event on Friday 21st April, further details are available from my office. Please contact Jonathon Flegg, my Executive Assistant and Media Adviser on (02) 9230 3340 or jonathon.flegg@parliament.nsw.gov.au .
GORDON MOYES
