{"id":57817,"date":"2022-09-15T04:00:13","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T18:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/?p=57817"},"modified":"2022-09-15T11:56:53","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T01:56:53","slug":"local-leaders-mourn-queen-elizabeth-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/local-leaders-mourn-queen-elizabeth-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Local leaders mourn Queen Elizabeth II"},"content":{"rendered":"

CIVIC leaders from across Geelong have mourned the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Friday last week (Australian time).<\/p>\n

The Queen was Britain’s longest-living and longest-reigning monarch, and passed away at Scotland’s Balmoral Castle at the age of 96 with her son, Prince Charles – now King Charles III – at her side.<\/p>\n

Speaking shortly after her death, Deputy Prime Minister and Corio federal member Richard Marles said Queen Elizabeth’s life had been one of “unparalleled service”<\/p>\n

“There’s a sense in which her life has marked our lives. And for most of the population, we’ve only ever known the Elizabethan age. So, there is a real sense that this is a very significant moment, I think, in our work. We have a sense of the significance of moments in time and this is one which is very large indeed.”<\/p>\n

Corangamite federal member Libby Coker signed the Parliament of Australia condolence book for Queen Elizabeth on Friday last week.<\/p>\n

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The official Platinum Jubilee portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, taken at Windsor Castle in June. Photo: ROYAL HOUSEHOLD\/RANALD MACKECHNIE\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

“My comments reflected the views being expressed across the nation and the world \u2013 the Queen has been a compassionate, stabilising force in our lives for so long, for which we owe her our considerable gratitude,” Ms Coker said.<\/p>\n

“I provide my deepest condolences to the Royal Family.”<\/p>\n

She said anyone who wanted to pay their respects could do so online at pmc.gov.au\/condolence-form or visit her office in Armstrong Creek and sign a hardcopy condolence book during office hours.<\/p>\n

Member for Western Victoria and patron of the Victorian Young Monarchists Bev McArthur said she was saddened deeply by the Queen’s passing.<\/p>\n

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Governor-General David Hurley and wife Linda lay a wreath at the statue of Queen Elizabeth II at Parliament House in Canberra on Saturday. Photo: MICK TSIKAS\/AAP IMAGE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Even at 96 years it seemed the Queen of Australia, of the Commonwealth – our Queen – would always be there, because for so many of us she has always been there.<\/p>\n

“For 70 years Queen Elizabeth II has been a symbol of consistency \u2013 the quintessential model of devotion, bravery, strength, stoicism, selflessness, of quiet dignity and humility.<\/p>\n

“She has been our true north.”<\/p>\n

On Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a public holiday had been declared for Thursday, September 22, three days after the royal funeral in London, to coincide with a national memorial service.<\/p>\n

Federal Parliament has been suspended until February 23, and state Parliament has adjourned for a week and will resume on Tuesday, September 20.<\/p>\n

Charles III has made 16 trips to Australia, including in 1966 at the age of 16 for two terms at Geelong Grammar, which he revisited in 1974 and 2005.<\/p>\n

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Charles III – then Prince Charles – chats with Year 10 students from Geelong Grammar during a visit to the school in 2005: Photo: JULIAN SMITH\/AAP IMAGE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

THE QUEEN’S LIFE IN NUMBERS<\/p>\n