Years before The Beatles or The Rolling Stones came to Australia, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother visited Ipswich. It was a rock star welcome.
12000 loyal subjects greeted Her Royal Highness at Queen’s Park including approximately 5000 excited, flag-waving school children. Some waited 8 hours in the heat (27 degrees) and humidity (79%) to catch a glimpse of the royal visitor. Despite the long wait, the atmosphere was convivial & celebratory. Picnic lunches were consumed and some women passed the time crocheting and sewing.
The sky was grey above but morning showers did not dampen the spirits of those in attendance. In fact the wet weather of the previous few days had worried organisers and an alternate venue for the planned civic reception had been found and readied at the Wintergarden Theatre. Indecision also surrounded the landing of the royal aircraft and whether it was best to touch down at RAAF Base Amberley or Archerfield airfield. After a long wait on Wednesday 19 February 1958 in muggy conditions the royal entourage arrived in Queen’s Park at 3.45 pm – and stayed just 20 minutes!
The Mayor wearing his robes of office walked the Queen Mum up the 50 feet long red carpet to the royal dais. Here she was welcomed, the National Anthem was played, speeches were made and dignitaries, Ipswich City Council aldermen & their wives were presented. Councillor A.W. Johnston, Chairman of Moreton Shire Council and his wife were also presented. Her Royal Highness, resplendent in blue with white accessories, received a leather binder containing a framed illuminated address signed by the Town Clerk V.N. Smith and Mayor James Finimore.
Framed illuminated address presented to the Queen Mother during her visit to Ipswich, 1958 – (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
Gifts of locally made woollen blankets for Prince Charles and Princess Anne were entrusted to Her Royal Highness. And she in her turn received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Merlyn Edwards, the 12 year old daughter of the Deputy Mayor.
Visit by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Ipswich, 1958 – (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
The Queen Mother signed the City’s Visitors’ Book for the second time. The first occasion was in 1927 as the Duchess of York. Following these formalities Mayor Finimore escorted Her Majesty back to the waiting topless car and she departed for Boonah to the strains of “Scotland the Brave” played by the Ipswich Pipe Band.
A reception was held at the North Star Hotel after the official visit.
Reception at North Star Hotel, after visit by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Ipswich, 1958 – (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
The event was clearly one of celebration involving a good deal of pomp and ceremony, official robes, and new dresses and hats for the ladies. But the fun was not over yet.
Thursday 20 February again brought Her Royal Highness to Ipswich as she traveled from Boonah to Government House in Brisbane. The royal Daimler took 4 minutes to proceed down Brisbane Street from Waghorn Street past buildings decorated with bunting & flags. People stood on shop awnings to get a better view. Her Majesty’s royal colours of blue & gold embellished the Town Hall where the Mayor, City Administrator and aldermen observed the proceedings from the balcony. A view from above would have been a valuable thing as an estimated crowd of 20,000 stood 4 deep in Brisbane Street to watch the parade. This statistic more than any other demonstrates the significance of the occasion and the popularity of the royals. To achieve a crowd of this magnitude at a time when the population of Ipswich was just 40,000 is truly remarkable. In 1958 Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother was indeed a “rock star”.
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, visit to Ipswich, Brisbane Street, Ipswich, 20 February, 1958 – (Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich)
The celebrations continued with Friday being declared a holiday for school children of the district.