Queen Elizabeth II in Wollongong | July 26, 2024 | Illawarra Mercury - video Dailymotion

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip visit Wollongong, 1954 Video via UOW Library on YouTube

Transcript

00:0052 miles south of Sydney, the flourishing city of Wollongong celebrates the biggest

00:21day in its history. 80,000 people line the streets to welcome the British monarch and

00:26her consul. The Queen has travelled nearly 15,000 miles to be present here today. The

00:32multi-coloured decorations and cheering thousands bear witness to the city's acknowledgement

00:36of the honour bestowed. A thrilling, memorable sight and one that will be indelibly imprinted

00:50on the minds of all who were privileged to see it. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh,

01:05in their now familiar open car, are escorted to the steps of the Town Hall. It's an overcast

01:17sky but a really bright, enthusiastic welcome from almost the entire population as the Minister

01:23for Justice, the Honourable R. Downing, welcomes the Royal Pair before presenting the Mayor,

01:27Alderman J.J. Kelly and Mrs. Kelly. This moment follows weeks, even months, of preparation. Twice

01:41in this century, Australia sent the flower of its manhood to fight for king and country,

01:45but never before had an opportunity been given for the majority of Australians to see the reigning

01:50monarch. That inward sense of loyalty to the throne and all that it means was never more

01:56clearly shown than here in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, Thursday, February 11,

02:031954. Her Majesty is wearing a teal-grey shantung skirt and jacket with matching hat and black

02:14accessories. Alderman Kelly, wearing ermine-trimmed robes for the first time, gave dignity to one of

02:20the most colourful receptions the Royal Couple have had in Australia. On a raised dais and in

02:26full view of the watching thousands, civic leaders and their wives are presented to the Queen of the

02:31British Commonwealth of Nations and her illustrious husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. A moment none will

02:36forget. Her Majesty replies to the Mayor's official address of welcome and then is escorted to the

02:42waiting cars.

03:03The royal progress continues to the returned soldiers' memorial hall.

03:08The stiff southerly wind and threatening rain by no means dampen the ardour of the cheering crowd.

03:15Special trains and buses brought thousands from Mittagong, Bowral, Nowra, Milton and other south coast centres.

03:37500 ex-servicemen, men of three wars, form a guard of honour in three ranks on either side of Church Street

03:59and fronting the returned soldiers' memorial hall, in which Her Majesty is to preside at the official

04:04luncheon. The Queen is officially received by Mr. F.W. Mudge, President of the Wollongong sub-branch.

04:11These 500 servicemen, soldiers of the Queen, resplendent with blazing medals, come from sub-branches

04:18at Albion Park, Austinmur, Bowral, Coaldale, Corrimal, Daptoe, Gerringong, Hellensburg, Kiama, Mossvale,

04:25Nowra, Port Kembla and Winona. The inspection is informal and the Duke chooses more than one

04:31opportunity for a quiet word with one of these south coast veterans. At least that was the intention,

04:36but often he has to bend down to hear the replies of the ex-servicemen above the cheering of the crowd.

05:012.30pm, and Queen Elizabeth leaves for the Wollongong showground, where 13,000 schoolchildren

05:18from 130 schools in the district are given a special opportunity to see and hear Her Majesty.

05:31Pretty, blonde Margaret Buttle, 15, Captain of Wollongong High School, was chosen to welcome the Queen and the Duke.

05:47The gusty 20 mile an hour southerly is embarrassing, but Margaret is equal to the occasion.

05:54She can't hold the speech and her hat, so leaves the hat to the elastic.

06:02Then the thousands are let loose to demonstrate their loyalty as only children can.

06:18The Queen and the Duke drive round the showground to a thundering roar from 13,000 throats.

06:23An indelible memory for every child and a fitting end to a day the Queen will surely remember, the Wollongong welcome.