Royal wave: Queen Elizabeth II visiting Shepparton with Prince Philip in March, 1954
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On March 4, 1954, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made a visit to Shepparton as part of the monarch’s first visit Australia. Gabriel Garcia looks back at the News’ coverage of the day.
It was a pleasant autumn day when Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, made their way into Shepparton.
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Despite the preceding cold night, huge crowds had been gathering to see the new royals.
Onlookers had come from Shepparton, surrounding towns and from across the NSW border and they were decked out in their best.
The density of the crowd was greatest around the turn at Railway Pde and Nixon St where the Family Medical Centre currently stands.
Other areas of congestion included at the Soldiers’ Memorial and at various intersections.
Turning out: Shepparton lined the streets for Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Shepparton on March, 1954.
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Only two years prior to her arrival, Queen Elizabeth was simply Princess Elizabeth. Thrust into the spotlight upon the unexpected death of her father, King George VI, the Queen was now, two years after being crowned, taking her first tour of Australia.
Her visit to Shepparton was planned so the royal couple could enter via High St, before travelling Railway Pde and Nixon, Maude and Fryers streets to a welcome ceremony at Deakin Reserve.
Lining the route stood members of the 59th Battalion, the contingent from the Tocumwal air force station, as well as school cadets.
Tens of thousands of locals, some using boxes and stools to sit and eventually stand on, waited with eager eyes.
The first people to see the royal couple were those located at High St and on Railway Pde. First came the police escort and then the royal car itself, the Queen and consort beaming and waving at the enthusiastic crowd.
Big welcome: The welcome sign for Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Shepparton on March 4, 1954
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Her Majesty wore a Hartnell green paper shantung coat, over an orchid pink floral frock patterned with a deep blue convolvulus flower design. The coat featured soft revers and elbow-length sleeves with a knife-pleated skirt.
The welcome in Deakin Reserve was one to remember.
School children, 9000 strong, cheered and waved miniature flags as the royal couple entered through the colourful central archway on Nixon St, circled the arena and made their way to the royal dais.
At the foot of the dais, carpeted in rich red that spilled out on to the lawn, the Queen was greeted by the official delegation, comprising of the Mayor, the shire president and other local dignitaries.
Shepparton Youth Club played for The Queen and, once completed, Mayor Vincent Edward Vibert read out the Address of Loyalty and Welcome.
Looking back: The News' coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Shepparton in 1954.
The Queen’s response was one of appreciation and acknowledgement of the region.
“My beloved late father and my mother had been looking forward with great interest to visiting the Goulburn Valley, the products of which are so well known in England ... To those of you who are present and to all those who have not been able to come here today, I send my warmest good wishes,” she said.
The day was special for all, but perhaps no-one had a better and more memorable experience than local Mary Vibert, the seven-year-old daughter of the Mayor whose task it was to present the Queen with a curtsy and a bouquet of flowers.
The Queen simply and warmly replied “that is very beautiful” as the little girl executed a perfect curtsy and handed over the flowers.
Looking back: The News' coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Shepparton in 1954.
Mary herself was so in awe of the occasion that she almost forgot to bow to Prince Philip.
After the official speeches, the Queen and Prince Philip made their way into the crowd via the use of a Land Rover, talking casually with various groups including war veterans, war widows, and children who were suffering from polio.
The Prince was especially keen that no-one miss out, even telling the driver to turn around after he realised they missed a group.
The Shepparton visit was part of a greater north-east Victoria tour which included Shepparton, Tatura, Echuca, Bendigo and Ballarat.
