A Present from the Past: Sir Robert Menzies and the Fishes Royal
In 1965 Queen Elizabeth gave Sir Robert Menzies a gift so special that he had to contemplate burying it on a beach. What was it?
Articles tagged with: queen
Latest articles
On This Day: A man becomes King but doesn’t see his coronation.
At first glance this mug looks perfectly ordinary but this object has an extraordinary story to tell.
Knighthoods and Dames
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reversed the decision of his predecessor, Tony Abbott, to reintroduce knighthoods and damehoods and has removed them from the Australian honours system.
From the oral history collection: Rupert Loof
Rupert Loof served as Clerk Assistant of the Senate from 1942 to 1955 and was Clerk from 1955 to 1965.
Preparing for the Queen’s Visit. Lesson 1 – How to curtsy while the Queen is laughing
Be Prepared. That was probably the motto of the entire population of provisional Parliament House during the countdown to the Queen’s arrival on 15 February 1954.
We did but see Her passing by…
There are some events that are imprinted indelibly in our minds. For me, the first visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Australia 60 years ago still conjures up vivid memories—I saw her not once, but three times!
From the Oral History collection: David Muir
David Muir was born in 1928 and grew up in Canberra. He was a carpenter and joiner in the provisional Parliament House.
Catching the ’54 Royal fever from a matchbox holder
…I started to develop the exhibition and gradually, very gradually, the objects began to speak of the excitement, anticipation and pure devotion that was the summer of 1954 and the Queen’s eight week tour of Australia.
Gently perspiring for the Queen
I remember we lined the streets for what seemed like hours. We were very hot in our serge school uniforms but it was very exciting. Finally the Queen was on her way and we were rewarded with the sight of the black roof of the Royal Car as she passed by.
Royal visits — now and then
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be in Australia from 19-28 October. While her visit will culminate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Perth, the itinerary for the Queen and her husband Prince Phillip is a busy one, and in just eight days they will spend time and attend official functions in Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne.
