The nine Australians invited to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Dylan Alcott has spoken about the “honour” of attending the Queen’s funeral, and revealed what he’ll say to Prince Harry as the nine Australians invited to the service had lunch with the PM. See the pictures.
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Ahead of boarding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s plane to the UK to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Monday, Dylan Alcott took time to record an episode for his podcast ListenABLE with co-host Angus O’Loughlin.
In the bonus episode, which is now available, Alcott spoke about the impact the invitation to join a delegation of Australian mourners has had on him, what it would be like flying on the PM’s plane as a disabled person, the funeral protocol, and how he plans to connect with Harry and Megan when he arrives.
Host O’Loughlin asked Alcott if he would reach out to Prince Harry while he was in London.
“Definitely will say G’Day if I run into him and Meghan and yeah, I mean, you know, I always feel when I read articles about them - because of my own personal experience - they’re very giving. And a lot of people might be like, ‘Why are you going?’ And I was the same, right?
“But what I will say is what Harry has done for disability via Invictus Games I really respect. And that was my actual first connection with the palace. Obviously I got to talk to Her Majesty and stuff as well, but my connection is through that disability stuff. And I was like, That’s, you know, it’s cool. And if I was able to see Harry I’d ask if he’s going alright to be honest, I hope he is doing alright.”
Elsewhere on the podcast Alcott said it was a “huge honour to be able to go there and represent the country with the Prime Minister and a few other people. Have you seen the list of people going? It’s like every President, every Prime Minister! Biden, Jacinda Ardern, Justin Trudeau, Obama, Attenborough, Elton John!”
The full ListenABLE podcast is here.
‘A REMARKABLE LIFE’: ANTHONY ALBANESE’S TRIBUTE TO QUEEN
It comes as the nine “everyday” but extraordinary Australians dined with the Prime Minister, Governor-General and other Australians who made it big in Britain on the eve of attending the Queen’s funeral in London.
The nine community heroes and high achievers were hosted on Sunday, local time, by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General David Hurley and acting Australian High Commissioner Lynette Wood at Australia House, where they mixed with a bevy of Aussie notables, including comedian Adam Hills, former high commissioners George Brandis and Alexander Downer, and Samantha Cohen, who was for 17 years the Queen’s private secretary.
ADF personnel from the Special Air Services regiment, Australian palace guards and business figures including former Opera Australia CEO Craig Hassall (more recently the CEO of the Royal Albert Hall) and Sir Michael Hinzte were also included on the guest list for the special luncheon.
Addressing the attendees, Governor-General David Hurley said: “Her majesty’s parting continues to be deeply felt by people around the globe and especially so in Australia.”
“It’s important that we come together, individually and collectively, at this time to mourn and reflect on the profound impact that her reign of 70 years has had and to recognise the beginning of the reign of King Charles.”
Australian former wheelchair tennis Dylan Alcott, one of the “everyday” Australians, told the luncheon when the palace called to invite him to the funeral he thought it was a joke.
“I thought I was getting pranked to be honest, they called up a private number. I was like, ‘Who is this, is even real?’
“Obviously it was a very humbling to be invited to be able to come here. Funerals are pretty sad. And they have a right to be sad. “But they’re also a time to reflect on the work that people have done and the personal connection that you have with people and I can’t believe I’m saying this but I have a very, very, very small personal connection to Her Majesty.
“There were five of us in the room we were very lucky to have a zoom call with her to celebrate her Jubilee this year. It was it was incredible.
“I remember they said on the Zoom call, Her Majesty is going to pop up and then it’s your turn to talk.
“I thought, I’ll be ready. And then when she popped up, I was like, ‘Oh, my God it’s the Queen. And no matter what, you’re never ready for that moment.
“She laughed about really bad jokes. She asked me why I retired from tennis and I said I got sick and tired of beating people from England and Wimbledon.
“I know I speak on behalf of the 10 of us that are here today, thank you for choosing us to represent the current culture and values in Australia. We are really proud we hope we do Australian proud. We appreciate it.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid a deeply personal tribute to the Queen recalling his first memory of her and saying she enjoyed the relaxed nature of Australians.
“She opened up the Sydney Opera House and then she went back in 2000, and she said this: ‘Since I first stepped ashore here, I feel part of this rugged, honest, creative land.
“I’ve shared in the joys and the sorrows, the challenges and the changes that have shaped this country’s history.’
“So even as history continues to shape us and the bond between our nations evolved as we’ll continue to do, the affection and respect in which we held Her Majesty remained unchanged and undiminished.
“The Queen transcended barriers. You could be a Republican or a monetarist, have a whole range of views, but still feel nothing but absolute regard and respect for her.
“She celebrated her good times and stood with us in our times of trial, bringing us sympathy and comfort when it was so badly needed.
“In 2002, she put it this way: ‘I declare again, that my admiration and affection and regard for the people of Australia will remain.’
“Queen Elizabeth II led quite a remarkable life and life of service, a life of fidelity, a life of commitment to her family, to her faith,” he said.
“When it comes to the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Australia, 16 truly was her number.
“During her 70 year reign, she consulted with 16 Australian Prime Ministers beginning with Sir Robert Menzies. Sixteen governors general served under Queen Elizabeth and 16 visits to our shores.
“Also a part of her legacy started with a 58 city tour, which saw her visit 68 towns and cities and pass through many more.
“When you think about someone visiting 58 cities or 68 cities and towns that’s a bit more than political leaders do during an election campaign and we’re exhausted at the end of it.”
The nine “everyday” Aussies, who were flown to London on the Prime Ministerial jet, will on Monday sit in pews surrounded by one emperor, many presidents, and assorted kings and queens – taking up a small corner of the international platform to represent every state and territory across Australia.
“Even though we are Australian citizens supposed to have done extraordinary things, we are carrying a heavy load for our country being here,” Shanna Whan, 48, who, in her own words, had gone from being a “small-town drunk” to winner of the NSW Australian of the Year for her work in alcohol awareness, said.
“I just want to say thank you for leading us all these years.
“It’s all so surreal, I’m just an ordinary girl from country New South Wales leading an ordinary life, I’ve never been to England before.
“When I haven’t been too jet lagged, I went sightseeing … Buckingham Palace is a lot bigger than the pictures show,” she said.
Retired Tasmanian police officer and recipient of the Australian of the Year Local Hero award Kim Smith said while he is “not so bothered by the dignitaries” – it’s the size of the crowds that have struck a chord with him.
“It’s the crowds in London; this is just huge, all the police on the ground, the hoards of people, you can’t move, it’s something of a magnitude I’ve never seen before,” Mr Smith said.
“I admit going to funeral is daunting, but when I became a police officer I swore allegiance to the Queen, she gave me the courage to carry out my duty. Her picture was everywhere in the police station.
“The least I can do is attend her majesty’s funeral to acknowledge the incredible years of selfless service she gave to her realm nations.”
South Australian dentist Trudy Lin, 30, who won this year’s Young Australian of the Year for providing oral healthcare to people with physical and intellectual disabilities and psychiatric illness, visited Whittard tea shop and gift stores for presents for her family.
“My brother likes fine tea so I went to buy him some at the English tea shop,” Dr Lin said.
“I also joined the crowds of people trying to get to Buckingham Palace and saw the ad hoc memorials, a corgi statue and shrines people had dedicated to the Queen.
“The funeral is not something I thought I’d be floored by but I suddenly feel a deep sense of duty and responsibility,” she said.
“Suddenly since people learned I was coming, they have messaged to say ‘represent South Australia for me’.
“It’s a big responsibility but I’m willing to take it on and carry the wishes and of condolence of those Australians to the Queen. She served her people for seven decades and I hope I get to do the same,” Dr Lin said.
The nine invitees include Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, senior Australian of the Year Valmai Dempsey, local hero Saba Abraham and WA’s Australian of the Year finalist Helen Milroy.
Born in the bush near Daly River in the Northern Territory, Aboriginal elder Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, who won 2021 Senior Australian of the Year for her work teaching, felt some excitement as well as trepidation being in London for the first time.
“The queen’s funeral will be a once in a lifetime experience, it’s exciting, just coming here, it’s also very sad,” Ms Ungunmerr-Baumann said.
“I’m not gonna lie, I’m daunted, I’ll be sitting with kings and queens, it took a bit of organising for us to be invited to come here.
“I had to clear my mind after we landed. I went for a walk along the Thames and saw the changing of the guards … And then I had a laugh with some police officers, they let me wear their hat and I took photos with them.
“London’s a very different place to the Northern Territories, I’ve never met the Queen but I’m honoured to be here.”
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Originally published as The nine Australians invited to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
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