Jeff Kennett: Why we should honour our monarch, Queen Elizabeth
Regardless of whether you’re a monarchist or support Australia becoming a republic, there is no denying that Queen Elizabeth is a remarkable person and we should honour her while she still reigns, writes Jeff Kennett.
Opinion
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I have been wanting to write this article for a long time.
So disappointed am I at the lack of accountability and acceptance of responsibility demonstrated by our current leaders in Victoria, I thought now was the time to pay tribute to an individual I think has served with unquestioned distinction.
One of my first memories as a young boy is from February 1952, when I was almost four. My family were enjoying Christmas holidays at my grandmother’s house in Mt Eliza.
My parents were dressed in formal attire to attend a function at the Canadian Bay Yacht Club, leaving my sister and I in the care of a babysitter. I remember thinking how splendid they looked as they stepped out to that dinner dance.
Only an hour or so later they returned. I was still up. I was surprised at their early return and asked them why? My father said, “The King has died, and the function was cancelled.”
The King was George VI, father of our present Queen, Queen Elizabeth.
For so many generations now, Queen Elizabeth has been a constant in our lives. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a monarchist or support Australia becoming a republic, you will agree she is a remarkable person.
She became Queen upon the death of her father on February 6, 1952. Her coronation did not take place, out of respect to him, until the following June.
The first coronation to be televised, it was watched by 27 million in the UK alone and millions around the world.
The Queen and Prince Philip made their first trip to Australia after the coronation in 1954.
They had been on their way to Australia and New Zealand in February 1952 when, on a stopover in Kenya, Princess Elizabeth was informed of her father’s death and they returned to Britain.
My family was one of tens of thousands to line the streets in Australia to see our new monarch. We were excited to witness their arrival at the MCG.
In 1947 on her 21st birthday, in a radio broadcast to the Commonwealth, the princess said: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”
Here we are 73 years later, and Her Majesty continues to serve with great dignity. What an example to all of us. In this era of commercialism, social media and of some politicians with no apparent sense of accountability, Queen Elizabeth’s sense of service and duty is outstanding.
To fully appreciate the continuity of her service, consider this. She has worked with 14 British prime ministers, 16 Australian prime ministers, 13 US presidents, and hundreds of other leaders of Commonwealth countries have come and gone during her 68 years on the throne to date.
She has been a touch point throughout my life, of public service and consistency. I consider myself to have been most fortunate to have met Queen Elizabeth here in Australia and in the UK.
Every year as premier, when in the UK I had a private audience with the Queen. That she was prepared to spend time with a suburban politician from the other side of the world was a great honour.
What impressed me was her knowledge of Victorian and Australian affairs, but perhaps even more so, how frank she was. She shared her views on subjects I would not have raised, and her comments on some surprised me.
I have met Prince Philip on several occasions, and while he at times could be gruff, his support of the Queen has also been a great example of loyalty.
A lot of people consider members of royal families to lead privileged lives. That is true for some, but it is how one lives one’s life that more accurately characterises them.
Spending so much time on duty, on display, with the public, requires discipline and stamina, your every move being scrutinised by the public and the media waiting to find fault. It is not easy.
Every time they alight from their vehicles, they are on show. They know that people have made an effort to come and see them, behind barriers or at functions.
So why am I writing this now? While wishing Her Majesty a continuing long and healthy life, I also wanted to express my appreciation of her life and her service while she lives, rather than being asked to comment in the event of her death, or to miss the opportunity if I predecease her.
In the Victoria Gardens between the Botanical Gardens and the Yarra River, there is a majestic statue of Queen Victoria. I have often thought it would be wonderful if the community, the city, or the state would fund a statue celebrating Queen Elizabeth II and her many years of service.
Sculptures are a magnificent and permanent way to celebrate a life, and our history, and we have many such wonderful sculptures around the state.
So as Victoria and the world are battered and challenged by coronavirus, concerns about the economy, rising unemployment, the ups and downs of family life, all the trials we experience, she too has weathered many storms.
Yet still she stands, with grace and dignity, and continues to discharge her commitment to public service that she promised 73 years ago.
I salute you, Your Majesty, as will many of the readers of this column. Long may you reign.
Have a thankful day.
Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria