By Parker McKenzie
Federal politicians, public servants and distinguished guests joined together for a memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II at Parliament House on Thursday 22 September, the same day as the one-off public holiday to honour the memory of the late British monarch.
Alongside former Prime Ministers and Governor-Generals, Premiers and distinguished guests, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those in attendance gathered together to offer Australia’s thanks for “an extraordinary life dedicated to service, faith, country and Commonwealth.”
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the longest serving monarch in the history of a centuries old institution,” he said.
“Her reign spanned almost half the life of our modern federation and we proudly honour her memory today on a continent home to the world’s oldest continuous culture.”
Governor-General David Hurley said it was a sad day of national mourning.
“the passing of the Queen, while we knew it to be inevitable, has still struck with an impact that has exceeded any expectation here in Australia, the United Kingdom and indeed across the globe,” he said.
“Amongst the sadness though, it is also a day of reflection and celebration, a day to recognize what it means to have lived in the second Elizabethian age.”
Casey MP Aaron Violi, who attended the memorial, told the Star Mail he has seen first-hand how much the Queen meant to the people in his electorate.
“Whether it’s my social media page or the condolence book that I’ve had set up in the office, the amount of people that have come through or requested portraits of the Queen, it just shows that the impact she’s had on the community,” he said.
“It’s been an honor to be able to represent our community at the memorial and in parliament the last two weeks.”
On Friday 23 September, Mr Violi gave a speech in parliament and spoke of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Casey in 1954.
“She was greeted by 20,000 locals in Lilydale who climbed trees and fences just to catch a glimpse of their young Queen,” he said.
“Even though the Queen only stayed for 15 minutes, the local paper termed the visit a truly momentous occasion for Lilydale, one that the thousands of old and young will never forget.”
Knox City Mayor Susan Laukens said in a statement that the City of Knox joins with the rest of Australia in mourning the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, “who was a remarkable woman.”
“I understand that within our Knox community there are many different views of the monarchy,” she said.
“But regardless of each of our political views, today is about honouring a woman who lived a life of selfless service.”
She said earlier in the year two community groups — the First Friends of Dandenong Creek and the Rotary Club of Rowville Lysterfield — received federal government grants to plant trees for the Queen’s Jubilee, with planting to occur along Corhanwarrabul and Dandenong Creeks.
