50 years since royal visit to Mackay

Precision planning was required for the Queen’s visit to Mackay in 1970

NEXT month marks 50 years since the last royal visit to Mackay by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.

The monarch and her ­husband were accompanied on their April 1970 Australian tour by their 19-year-old daughter Princess Anne.

One of the earliest mentions of the tour was published on August 8, 1969, with the ­announcement by then Prime Minister John Gorton that the Royals were to tour Australia for 35 days from March 30, 1970. The tour coincided with the bicentennial of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia during 1770.

By December 1, 1969, the Mackay Harbour Board chairman J Langdon had been in discussions with the Under-Secretary of the Premier's ­Department and Queensland's Naval Officer In Charge, Commander Brobin about the Mackay visit.

 

On February 15, 1970, a nine member delegation including Queensland Royal Tour director C Curtis and Australian Secretary to the Queen General Pollard visited Mackay to inspect facilities and the route that were to be used for the ­upcoming visit.

Construction work of additional landing facilities at Love's Jetty, Mackay Harbour cost a reported $350 for the visit and was occurring by March 13, 1970.

Governor Sir Alan Mansfield and Queensland's Naval Officer in Charge, Commander Alun Evans on March 16, 1970 inspected the Port of Mackay for possible anchorage for the Royal yacht Britannia. A meeting was later held in Mackay to discuss final plans for the Mackay visit. It was held on March 31, 1970.

An invitation for tea to Queen Elizabeth II had been issued by Slade Point resident Robert Appleton at his home on the day of the Royals' visit but due to the limited time in Mackay, his invitation was declined.

 

Two special Royal Tour vehicles, a Rolls Royce and Daimler, for the Mackay visit arrived on a Hercules aircraft at the Mackay Airport at Casey Avenue on April 15, 1970.

After the cars' arrival, the vehicles - preceded by a police car - were driven to a Nelson Street motor firm's showrooms, where they were stored and put on public display.

All three royal family members were to arrive in Mackay on April 16 at the Mackay Airport. Princess Anne arrived first about 4.46pm, later followed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.

The royal visitors were to travel along Casey Ave, Juliet Sydney, Gordon, Macalister and Victoria Streets and then to the harbour.

The visitors were to do informal walks and talks at the airport and in Gordon Street, near the Parish Hall. A dais was located opposite the Parish Hall for the royal visitors to use. Gatherings also occurred on the balcony of the Civic Theatre and at the Britannia Hall. Patients of the Mater Hospital gathered on hospital verandas, and were given a special wave by the visitors.

The Mackay City Band, also played the national anthem, God Save the Queen.

The Royal visitors reached Love's Jetty at 6.17pm and boarded the pilot cutter Buragin which, due to rough weather, disembarked the Royals onto the frigate Stuart berthed on the northern side of the sugar pier.

The Stuart departed Mackay Harbour about 6.40pm to later transfer the Royals to the Britannia near St Bees Island.

 

A fireworks display by the Mackay Harbour Board was also part of the farewell.

Despite wet weather on the day of the tour, about 1500 people attended the Mackay Airport; about 1000 people at the Mackay Harbour and thousands gathered near the Parish Hall.

Official party members to be met by the Royals included Ald Albert Abbott; Ald C.S. Johnstone; Ald L.A. Dwyer; Cr Michael Moohin; Edmund Casey MLA; J. Langdon; Ron Camm MLA and their wives as well as the Department of Civil Aviation, Officer in Charge E.M. Jakes and Hon Mary Morrison.

Former Mayor of Mackay, John 'Jack' Binnington and his wife met the Queen inside the Parish Hall.

 

About 80 police officers and men including 40 from Rockhampton were in attendance at the Mackay visit.

Mackay Police Chief, Inspector A.G. Bianchi said that he was "extremely pleased with the overall success of the royal tour. The event had gone off without any untoward incident or serious accident".

Following the Royal visit, Ald. Abbott received on April 21, 1970 a photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip for hanging at the Mackay Town Hall to commemorate the visit to Mackay.

Mackay Museum, is at 4 Casey Ave, South Mackay - opposite BB Print Stadium. It is open 10am - 2pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

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