Regardless of your view on monarchies and republics, the now deceased Queen was recognized as
one of the most valued and durable public figures of our time.
She was courageous and resilient. She stood firm in her role as constitutional monarch of the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth.
Some other nations just wanted parts of her model of sovereignty, such as the pageantry. Or the horses and dogs. Prime ministers went in and out of the revolving door at the palace, and the rest of the world saw outstanding leaders, and a few tyrants, come and go, while she offered stability and durability for her brand.
She may not have visited Yarrawonga in person, but if that opportunity had prevailed, it would have been to offer friendship and a keen interest in our communities and the lives of all that she met.
So, I went to visit her at her palace. I was working in London 40 years ago when an invitation arrived for
Lyndy and I to take tea with her in the backyard, behind Buckingham Palace.
Dressed up a bit we entered a side gate at the front, where the gawking tourists assemble with their cameras.
The yard was quite large as it turned out, and there were thousands present for the sumptuous garden party.
We didn't know anyone, but it was all good fun. That was my close encounter with a monarch.
Elizabeth ascended the throne upon the anticipated death of her father George VI, only weeks after my much-vaunted arrival at the Tallangatta Hospital.
The Coronation (hers) was apparently televised at a time when we didn't have electricity, let alone Televison.
A very regal portrait of her was above the fireplace in my single room primary school at Noorongong. Other portraits came and went during her 70-year reign including the famous wattle portrait by Sir William Dargie. Prolific at the time. Hard to find now. She was an amenable subject for portraiture and family photography.
Moving forward, Prince Charles has become King Charles Ill, complete with a very suitable Queen Consort who we would not have anticipated, at least when I saw him get married to a fairy tale commoner on TV soon after the garden party affair.
This has happened without an insurrection, any murders or significant intrigue, and he has had a lifetime to think about it and prepare. He has already done much good work for world peace and charity.
Many of us may see the future of Australia as a republic but there remains uncertainty how that will come about and what it will look like. The devil may be in the detail.
The Queen always wisely avoided political affiliation, and didn't play favorites with the changing landscape of Prime Ministers (another one this week).
We know that she was fond of Australia-were we a favorite? She didn't offer us advice about becoming a republic. She offered us her service and respect.
Even if he is in a position of transition, I wish Charles the best. My almost 99-year-old mother has outlived the Queen, she is my Queen and is not dead yet.
She may get a telegram from a King one day.
Clyde Ronan
Yarrawonga
19°C