I rise today to express my condolences and those of the people of Eden-Monaro on the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September this year.
I wish to recognise the extraordinary and long-lasting contribution she has made and the great sense of loss being felt across Australia's territories, the Eden-Monaro region and our very diverse communities.
Her Majesty the Queen was a remarkable role model. In the course of 70 years of service and duty, we came to learn a lot about her sense of humour and her unwavering grace and commitment to service, including to the Australian people. Her Majesty demonstrated a great interest in the vitality and prosperity of regional Australia, and she spent time in many regional centres and small towns, many of which are in the electorate of Eden-Monaro.
In March 1963, on just her second trip to Australia, Queen Elizabeth II toured the then Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, which we now know as Snowy Hydro. Her presence was felt across the region, visiting Cooma, Jindabyne, Eucumbene, Kiandra, Guthega and Cabramurra, from Talbingo to Khancoban and Adaminaby to Berridale, through to Queanbeyan, where Her Majesty unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit in 1977 which still stands today in the bicentennial hall. The Queen made visiting our regions a priority, and these townships and their communities are forever etched into royal history.
As the member for the vast seat of Eden-Monaro, I often talk about the number of kilometres I've travelled visiting constituents and communities. It is not lost on me, when reflecting on Queen Elizabeth II's journey across Eden-Monaro, across Australia and the entire Commonwealth, that her journeys would have taken in probably millions of kilometres, travelling the realm, visiting communities big and small, to express her service to our communities. I want to express my deep respect and admiration to Her Majesty for that feat alone.
Through her visits, Her Majesty gained a deep understanding of regional Australia and the hardworking people in these communities. In her leadership and service, she has inspired countless people to advocate for and represent their own communities.
I want to acknowledge the lasting connection Queen Elizabeth II had with two organisations that are especially active across Eden-Monaro.
The Country Women's Association have said, through my office:
"Our deepest sympathy to the Royal family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. The Queen was an inspiration to us all through our dedication and service to our country. May she rest in eternal peace."
The Girl Guides have said:
"Her Majesty had a strong connection with Girl Guides from when she made her Girl Guide Promise at age eleven as a member of the first Buckingham Palace Guides. At Girl Guide halls throughout Eden-Monaro, portraits of the Queen have been a constant in the lives of the many girls and women who have passed through them.
Her Majesty showed the world the strength and courage of young women when they lead. Her Majesty demonstrated what it is to do your best and to positively contribute to your community, by keeping a promise that she made in her youth—no matter how short or long her life would be, it would be one of service."
I extend my deepest gratitude to the work of both of those organisations. As the Patron Girl Guide for Queanbeyan and Bega, I echo the sentiments from both the Girl Guides and the Country Women's Association.
In my role as minister for territories, I want to acknowledge the deep connection that Her Majesty had with the territories of Australia. Her commitment to Canberra, visiting the national capital on 14 separate occasions—more than any other Australian city—showed that the most. Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed a plentiful following, but in Canberra her royal visits captured the hearts of thousands as they gathered in droves just to catch a glimpse of her. Her Majesty's trips spanned the years from 1954, when she opened a session at what is now Old Parliament House, to her final visit in 2011, when she was welcomed by three exceptional women and leaders: our then Governor-General, Dame Quentin Bryce; the Hon. Julia Gillard, our first female Prime Minister; and Senator Katy Gallagher, who at the time was Chief Minister of the ACT.
On Her Majesty's second-last trip to Australia, in 2006, Queen Elizabeth II honoured the courageous and heroic firefighters who'd fought the January 2003 bushfires—an important acknowledgement of the nation's capital. She visited Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1954 and Norfolk Island in 1974. Her generous time and presence on both islands was warmly welcomed.
I'm grateful for the recognition that the people of our community have shown Queen Elizabeth. She was a remarkable woman and an exemplary role model, and her presence will be forever felt across our country.
