Memories of our monarch: When Queen Elizabeth II visited Townsville
Catching a glimpse of the Queen as she drove through the packed streets of Townsville in 1970 is a childhood memory many will remember forever. Here’s what the monarch meant to North Queenslanders.
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Catching a glimpse of the Queen as she drove through the packed streets of Townsville in 1970 is a childhood memory many will remember forever.
Annette Rowlings was in grade two when her class at St Margaret Mary’s College were enthusiastically waving their little flags as Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, made her way down Charters Towers Rd and past their school before opening James Cook University.
“It’s an amazing memory. I thought my heart would burst,” she said.
As the world mourns the Queen’s death, many Townsville residents are sharing fond memories of the monarch from her visits in 1954 and 1970.
Mayor Jenny Hill said Queen Elizabeth II was not only the “bedrock of the monarchy”, she was a role model for women in leadership.
“When she visited places like Townsville, Mackay or Cairns — it really was a big deal,” she said.
“People felt like that someone cared. It’s not often they would come to Australia but coming to the regional centres really meant a lot to the community because we’re isolated up here.”
It comes as the Department of Defence has suspended a number of community events scheduled for North Queensland “as a sign of respect for Her Majesty’s passing”.
The events include the 10FSB Freedom of Entry parade Charters Towers on Friday and the RAAF Base Townsville Freedom of Entry parade in Townsville on Saturday.
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson Queen Elizabeth II held a special place in the hearts of North Queenslanders, many of whom would never have known a time that she was not sitting on the throne.
“This afternoon, I will sign the condolence book at Parliament House on behalf of the people of Townsville,” he said. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for everything.”
Townsville Bishop Timothy Harris said the Queen served with great dedication and duty and her death marks a “profoundly sad moment in our history”.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said her passing would be felt for generations to come.
The Queen and Prince Philip first visited the region in 1954 when Elizabeth predicted rapid growth for the North and declared Townsville as the capital of the region.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh received a warm welcome as their plane descended over the city just after 2pm on March 12.
The Lockheed Constellation aircraft flew over the Townsville Sports Reserve to view a massive royal-themed tableau made by thousands of local schoolchildren in honour of the momentous visit, which captivated residents of all ages.
An article in the Townsville Bulletin at the time said the Queen, who was wearing a blue summer frock and a small white hat, ‘looked immaculate and colourful as she descended out of the aircraft to screams of joy and excitement.
A motorcycle escort travelled with the Queen and Duke to Flinders St, with hundreds of locals lining the roads.
“Many spectators set up folding, or wooden chairs, boxes and small stools, and two southern visitors even slept on a Flinders St flower bed overnight,” a Bulletin article said.
“The royal couple entered Flinders St to rapturous applause, and while officials were impressed with the behaviour of onlookers, there was a moment of cheeky behaviour from one local.
“As the Royal Progress swung from Flinders St West into the lower end of Flinders St, a spectator began enthusiastically waving a small Australian flag and, at the same time, his bright tartan tie.
“The Duke looked across to the spectator, Mr J.H. Jackson, and said with a laugh: ‘Hey, where did you come from?”
The Royal Progress then made its way to the Townsville Sports Reserve, where a crowd of 14,000, the majority of whom were children, officially welcomed them to the city.
“For many here, it was thought that white people could not thrive in tropical climates, and undoubtedly the development of Northern Queensland was hampered by this idea,” Her Majesty said.
“I am delighted to see, by the healthy and sturdy appearance of the children here today, how false this theory was.
“Your beautiful city … stands on the threshold of an era of rapid progress in both the primary and secondary industries, and we will see before long how this will bring a growing measure of prosperity to your people.”
A group of young children presented the Queen with a bouquet, and the mayor spoke of how proud the city was to welcome Her Majesty for the first time.
Their half-day visit was part of an extensive two-month tour of Australia, just nine months after the Queen’s coronation, on June 2, 1953.
The Royal couple returned to Townsville for their only other visit together on April 20, 1970, with the then 19-year-old Princess Anne.
They arrived on the Royal yacht, Britannia, en route from Mackay to Green Island and Cooktown for the Queen to officially establish James Cook University.
Prior to this date, from 1961, the institution was an annex of The University of Queensland.
It’s the first and only time Her Majesty has personally granted Royal Assent to a bill of the Queensland parliament while in the state.
Every bill passed by the Queensland parliament must receive Royal Assent before it can become an act of Parliament.
Assent is almost always granted by the Governor, although it can also be provided by Her Majesty The Queen if physically present in Queensland.
During their second visit, they were in Townsville for about four hours and also made public appearances at the Sports Reserve and Lavarack Barracks.
The Bulletin reported crowds of 10-12 deep lined the route from the port along The Strand to the Sports Reserve for the Royal Progress and welcoming speeches.
The Bulletin estimated there were 17,000 in the streets for the event.
Prince Philip also visited Townsville in 1982 and was met by thousands of people in Flinders St once more.
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Originally published as Memories of our monarch: When Queen Elizabeth II visited Townsville
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