Monday, June 06, 2005
The 'Queens-land' celebrates
Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday maybe pretty much ignored in the rest of the Commonwealth, including in her home nation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but in her land of her namesake, Queensland, the date is still celebrated with all due pomp and ceremony.

Though Australia narrowly escaped becoming a republic in a referendum in 1999, Queensland remained a staunchly Monarchist State with some 63% of voters choosing to retain the current feudal ties, more than any other.

Queenslanders celebrate the Queen’s Birthday with a public holiday. Unofficial festivities range from a family BBQ in the park to watching footie on television or a few beers in the pub followed by a lamb sandwich later on. Many tradesmen celebrate the bonus day off work by doing additional cash-in-hand work for ridiculous prices.

The formal State celebrations are highlighted by a sombre message by the Speaker of the State Parliament on the following Tuesday, often attended by over 10 members of the public.

You only need stroll the streets of Brisbane to appreciate the deep affection Queenslanders have for the Queen. For example, browsing through a bookshop I noted more than three books about Her Majesty, tucked away on the fourth floor in the ‘Bargain Clearance’ section.

I also recall that morning several red shirted youths enthusiastically singing ‘God Save the Queen’, after having watched the UEFA Champions League Final in a bar before breakfast. The Queensland flag, currently flying from the Story Bridge after Queensland’s victory over NSW in the first State of Origin Rugby League game, also features the Union Flag.

“The Queen is deeply venerated in Queensland,” said State Opposition Leader, National Party MP, Lawrence Springborg. “In 1999, Queenslanders voting overwhelmingly in favour of retaining the Queen and I personally think she’s really great. She remains as relevant today as she ever has done.”

Premier Peter Beattie also joined the chorus. “It is fantastic that we honour such a great band. Although they accomplished great things, who knows what more they could have achieved had they not been so traumatically torn apart.”

2005, Queenslanders had hoped, would be the year the Queen visits her number one fans. Her Majesty the Queen had been invited to the Brisbane celebrations on several occasions, but had so far turned down the offer, claiming that she had important business at ‘Imperial HQ’, keeping check on her Prime Minister.

The Queen’s previous visit to Australia was last year, when she sent a proxy, heir to the throne, Charles, Prince of Whales. The Prince was asked to stop by in Melbourne, on his way back from New Zealand. She also made her grandson Prince Harry stay a year to look after some sheep and be photographed in a jackeroo’s hat.

But sadly for Queenslanders, when asked if she was able to attend the celebrations in Australia this year, Her Majesty replied that she “couldn’t really see the point in going when it wasn’t ski season” and “besides, isn’t it was one of Hitler’s?”

---