When Queen Elizabeth II visited Shepparton in 1954, a young man, Alfred Turner, who would grow up to be a Yorta Yorta Elder, moved to the edge of the street in Mooroopna to catch a glimpse of her passing motorcade.
The grandson of renowned Aboriginal leader William Cooper was just two years younger than the 27-year-old monarch at the time.
Now an Elder, Uncle Alf said some people deny it, but he is certain that someone hung hessian along the road in the area known as The Flats between Shepparton and Mooroopna, apparently to shield the queen from seeing Aboriginal families camped in the bush.
“There was hessian on the fence because I’d ride my bike, I was a plasterer and I worked for the Shepparton Plaster Works, and the hessian was on the fence,” Uncle Alf said on Friday, September 9.
“So the Queen couldn't see the camps. Aboriginal camps. I don't know who put it there, but it was on the fence.”
Another Yorta Yorta Elder, Uncle Ruben Baksh, was just four-years-old at the time of the regal visit and living on the Broken Creek near Nathalia.
He’s now a tour guide of The Flats, recounting the area’s Aboriginal history, and believes the hessian was erected for one clear reason.
“So they couldn’t see the Aboriginals down on the land,” he said. “I suppose a bit ashamed of them.”
“Because they were Aboriginals and they lived on the land, well, we lived on the land, we come from the land. We’re grass roots people.”
Despite the negative aspect of the story, and her obvious historical links to the system that caused such upheaval to their people’s way of life, both men said they respect Queen Elizabeth II and even credit her for some advancements to the cause of Aboriginal people.
“Old people and young people, I think she got a lot of respect,” Uncle Alf said.
While Uncle Ruben said some advancements followed her visit.
“That's when they got things moving, when the Queen came along to visit Shepparton and Mooroopna,” he said.
He reminds people that at the time of the Queen’s visit, Aboriginal people could not vote in elections, and for many years, had to ask permission to move around the town.
“Jimmy Murray. Well, he was a good sportsman so they gave him a card so he could go anywhere, but as Aboriginals, you know, they sort of disrespected them,” Uncle Ruben said.
“He could go into a hotel and have a drink, but others couldn’t,” Uncle Alf added.
“That's why a lot lived in the bush,” Uncle Ruben said.
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