Territorians pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth

YOUR TRIBUTES: The NT News asked the faces of Darwin to share some words on Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy.

Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is being remembered as a “stabilising figure”, “hard worker” and a leader who “held her head high”.

Territorians, along with the rest of the world, are mourning the 96-year-old’s passing.

She died at her Balmoral Estate in the Scottish Highlands at 3am (ACST) on Friday.

Here’s how Darwin responded to the “incredible” news.

Jonathon Dunkel

“All around the world people knew her as a stabilising figure because she’s basically been around forever.

“Everybody was expecting (her death) but still nobody thought it would happen now.

“It will change things.

“Now we’ll see how the royals will go on and whether all these countries will be willing to accept a new head of state.”

Kelly Stephenson

“It was actually really sad – I’ve only ever known a Queen in my lifetime.

“To think I’m never going to have one again, we’re only going to have kings from now onwards, it’s kind of sad and disappointing.

“She was a great role model for a lot of people and quite a great monarch overall.”

Bruce and Glenys Barclay

“It’s very sad – she worked hard all her life,” Bruce said.

“In the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane she was walking down the mall, greeting everyone.

“We saw her at the Opening Ceremony – not very close though.”

“Not many people work until they’re 96,” Glenys said.

“I think (the royal family) was prepared for it, I think they will carry on.

“She was always on guard as well as on point for what she had to do.

“I think when Prince Phillip died she really lost her soulmate, her companion, her advisor.”

Aaron Nagas

“I feel pretty neutral I guess.

“I’m not a fan of the Royal family and ready for the country to become a republic.

“I think people were holding onto the Queen and now that Charles is the King, or whatever he is, it’s an easy time to transition to a republic and put an Australian as the head of the state.

“I don’t know if it would improve my life (necessarily) but I think I would just feel better knowing we don’t have another country with the ability to talk to a governor-general and change things for us politically like they did back with Gough Whitlam.”

Wendy Nelson

“In 1954 the Queen was going to the Exhibition Building in Melbourne to have a big welcome there and my mother took me in.

“We stood in Spring Street and I saw the Queen go past in all her wonderful gear, smiling, all happy with Prince Phillip sitting beside her.

“Back in those days we only had the old cameras and I didn’t have a camera, I was only 14, so there was no photo taken but I did see her.

“It was wonderful.

“She’s been very unwell now for quite a while so I wasn’t shattered when I heard the news this morning.

“Hopefully her son who’s taken on the role now will be as good as what she was.”

Babina Shah

“It’s pretty sad, it’s quite a shock as well.

“We’ve had her for this many years as the leader of the monarchy and I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“It’s a bit of a shock to the system.

“In my opinion the younger generations care a bit less about the monarchy than the generations a couple of decades ago.

“But still it’s quite relevant to us.”

Shane Evans

“It’s a bit sad but we knew it was coming.

“She kept a lot a stability for us in the world.

“Now she’s gone who knows what’s going to happen, I think it will change.

“It might be for the better, might be for the worse – time will tell.

“Australia could become a republic but we’re probably not ready for that yet, there’s too many knuckleheads running the show as it is.

“My mother had an English background and I’ve heard a lot of stories and patriotic stuff (about the Queen) from her but for me, myself, I don’t have too many memories.”

Janet and Nancy Wahlquist

“I’m 68 and she’s been the Queen the whole of my life,” Janet said.

“She’s sort of in my life picture in a way.

“And I’m a republican, I voted for the republic in 1999.

“We should be in a republic but I feel sad she’s died, she’s been a very good Queen.”

“I feel sad for her,” Nancy said.

“I ended up with a lot of respect for her after she allowed The Crown (Netflix series) to go ahead and all of those incredibly – must have been embarrassing – insights.

“I had a lot more regard for her after (watching) that for what she’s been through, what she’s lived through and what she’s held her head high through.

“It’s interesting because Charlie’s up there now and he’s said he doesn’t know why (Australia) is not a republic, so I think it’s going to be a very interesting time from now on.”

Trevor Haller

“As a young kid growing up back in the 60s we used to go to the movies and what have you and they used to show the Queen (on the screen).

“We used to get up and salute – you wouldn’t credit it – that’s just what we did.

“To hear this morning that she’s passed away, it’s just incredible.

“An era is gone.

“As to how Prince Charles goes, or King Charles goes, is yet to be seen.

“I think he’ll do a good job, he’s been well schooled, well versed by the Queen - he’s just been brought up to do that sort of thing.

“My father and my wife’s father and a lot of other fathers during the War, they fought for a flag and it was one flag and I reckon that’s the flag we should still keep – it’s our flag.”

Shannon Scaini

“It’s pretty sad I guess.

“When I woke up this morning everyone was texting each other about it, it was all over Instagram.”

Garry Gagiero

“I’m very sad to hear about the passing of the Queen.

“God only knows how Prince Charles will go.

“That remains to be seen.

“Hopefully it all remains the same, either that or we’ll become a republic.”