Government House to be official place of mourning as Queensland reacts to shock death of Queen Elizabeth II
Government House has opened as an official place of mourning as Queensland marks the passing of Australia’s monarch.
QLD News
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Queensland’s Government House will be open today as an official place for those mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with Governor Jeannette Young extending her condolences.
“From her childhood, The Queen was held in great affection by Queenslanders,” Dr Young said.
“The strength of the bond between our people and our Sovereign was evident during Her Majesty’s eight remarkably successful visits to our State.
“Since becoming Queensland’s Head of State in 1952, Her Majesty has been a powerful symbol of continuity and stability, a peerless exemplar of duty and service.
“As Queensland’s 27th Governor, I join with all the people of Queensland in mourning Her Majesty’s death.
“May her wisdom and calm assurance forever remain a source of strength, encouragement and solace to us all.
“God Save The King.”
Australia woke to the shock news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing, after the longest-serving monarch died peacefully at Balmoral, Scotland, in the early hours of Friday morning.
Photos, memories, and condolences have begun to flood social media outlets as Queensland reflects on the 96-year-olds monumental reign, including a heartfelt tribute from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I know all Queenslanders will join me in extending our sincerest condolences to the Royal Family at this time,” Ms Palaszczuk wrote on Twitter.
“Her Majesty was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
“Her Majesty visited here often and displayed her care and concern for the people of this state, especially during times of natural disasters.
“The Queen was a great source of comfort and assurance to us all throughout Her Majesty’s long reign.”
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 8, 2022
I know all Queenslanders will join me in extending our sincerest condolences to the Royal Family at this time. pic.twitter.com/avJSRuVIHS
In an official statement on behalf of Queensland to Buckingham Palace, Ms Palaszczuk said it was “with great sadness” that she learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning monarch to visit Queensland, a state where she was welcomed eight times throughout her reign in 16 visits to Australia.
“Queen Elizabeth remained a welcome and popular visitor to Queensland’s shores throughout her life, celebrating our culture and traditions,” the Premier said.
“She always provided reassurance in the aftermath of natural disasters and at times of concern for Queenslanders, sending messages of strength and support.
My statement on the passing of Queen Elizabeth ll.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 9, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II was loved and respected. We remember and honour her affection for Queensland and Australia throughout her 70 years of duty. pic.twitter.com/8SmTlRBa0W
“On her final visit to Queensland in October 2011, Her Majesty paid tribute to the resilience and courage of Queenslanders in the aftermath of the floods and Cyclone Yasi.
“Her subsequent public walk along Brisbane’s South Bank, greeted by thousands of Queenslanders, emphasised the great affection in which she was held in Queensland, Australia and around the world.”
Ms Palaszczuk said Queen Elizabeth was loved and respected.
“Her Majesty was a constant reminder of the true meaning of service, integrity and courage, and she was admired around the world, especially here in Queensland,” she said.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner also released an official statement saying the world had “lost an icon,” passing on his condolences to the Royal Family on behalf of Brisbane residents.
“Brisbane has lost a Queen and the world has lost an icon,” Mr Schrinner said.
“Few of us will remember a time when she wasn’t our Queen. It seems like she has always been there, and always would be.
“Countless global leaders have come and gone but Her Majesty has been a constant source of stability an steadfast leadership in an everchanging world.
“While The Crown’s role has evolved, Her Majesty; s great strength and enduring compassion has ensured she remained a leader who was both respected and loved around the world.
“On behalf of the residents of Brisbane, I would like to pass on our deepest condolences to her family and all impacted by the passing of Her Majesty. May she rest in peace.”
Speaking from London, former prime minister Kevin Rudd shared his own fond memories of Her Majesty, and her great love of corgis.
He likened the immense pressure of meeting her to being “as intimidating as going to see your nanna”.
“When you sat down and gauged a person of her vintage and her experience, you knew you were speaking with living history,” he said.
“I remember sitting with Her Majesty and with Therese and myself and Prince Philip were having lunch at Buckingham Palace and then in came the avalanche of corgis and she proceeded to name them one by one.
“Then when Therese said ‘this one looks a little different to the others’, to which the Queen said somewhat wryly, yes his mother was a scoundrel.
“So she was good at flipping the switch.”
Mr Rudd described the sombre scenes in London as citizens learned of the news of her death.
“It’s sad, it’s raining, it’s drizzling and if you’re talking to cabbies, if you’re talking to people who work in shops or in hotels, everyone is feeling genuinely down as a result of this news,” he said.
“I think people here assumed, as we do in Australia, that she would magically last forever, she didn’t.
“She was quite remarkable … an extraordinary person to deal with.”
A statement from Commissioner Katarina Carroll following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/XYW3R99Mrh
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) September 9, 2022
Ms Palaszczuk announced Government House would remain open to the public from 8am Tuesday for mourners and she shared a link for a website in which Queenslanders could write messages of condolences.
“Government House will open to the public as an official place of mourning between 8am and 4pm on Friday 9 September and Saturday 10 September, with additional dates and times to be advised in due course,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
In an official statement, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the world had lost a “tower of strength and dignity.”
“Her Majesty’s unwavering service and dedication to the people were the hallmarks of her historic seven-decade reign,” he said.
“This great loss will be felt across Queensland, throughout Australia and around the world.
“I send my condolences to the Royal Family and join with people everywhere in giving thanks for her extraordinary contribution and life.”
Those wishing to write a message of condolence to the Queen can do so by clicking here.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll APM on Friday afternoon shared a touching statement, offering condolences to the Royal Family on behalf of the entire Queensland Police Service.
“Today the Queensland Police Service joins the world in mourning the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“As police we take an oath to serve the Crown with honour and integrity. Her Majesty’s service has inspired us and many Queensladners alike.
“On behalf of our police community, I extend my deepest condolences to the Royal Family and all those who are feeling her loss.
“It’s been an honour to serve Her Majesty.”
Students at the University of Queensland will hold a Vigil on Friday night.
Student Barclay McGain posted in a student forum encouraging students to gather at the centre of UQ’s St Lucia campus, The Great Court, at 7pm.
“Attendees should wear black clothing or a black ribbon as a mark of gratitude for the life of the single-most remarkable and recognisable woman on history,” he said.
Mourners have also been urged to bring candles to light in Her Majesty’s honour.
FLAGS FLY AT HALF MAST, AS GOLD COAST MOURNS
Gold Coasters have been invited to sign condolence books following the Queen’s death.
Flags at council buildings across the Glitter Strip, which the Queen visited in 1963 and attended a surf carnival at Coolangatta, are flying at half mask.
“Her Majesty brought so much strength and stability to not only the Royal Family but the entire Commonwealth,” Coast Mayor Tom Tate said.
“Our city has fond memories of her visits here, along with her late husband, Prince Philip.
“It was such an honour to open our Jubilee Walkway between Queen Elizabeth II Park in Coolangatta and Philip Park at The Spit, earlier this year.
“This walkway will forever link Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, as did their love and commitment to one another through the years.
“The City will today arrange for our flags to be flown at half mast and for condolence books to be placed at various community centres so people can convey their messages to the Royal Family.”
Cr Tate will sign a condolence book at City Hall at Evandale later this morning.
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