WHEN Queen Elizabeth II visited North-West Tasmania on April 26, 1988 she came bearing a gift.
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In a ceremony noted by The Advocate to have been a brief, three-minute affair, the Queen proclaimed the new City of Burnie.
"It gives me great pleasure to mark this occasion, Mr Mayor, to hand to you this proclamation declaring city status on Burnie," the Queen said to the then mayor, Rex Collins.
Realising, as was reported, "Burnie's long-held aspirations for city status", it was no doubt a moment of great pride for those who believed Burnie was more than a mere town.
That the region's largest centre - Devonport - was named a city by the then Prince Charles many years before may have helped encourage those aspirations, though it is difficult to say.
While the Queen and Prince Philip were said to have conversed with dozens of guests before the official luncheon, there was disappointment noted over the visit being on a tighter schedule than when they previously stopped by in 1954, with no time for a "meet the people".
Still, the roads were lined by thousands of people, mostly schoolchildren, including this writer, who likely appreciated the break from the Grade 5 routine.
Tears for one of a kind
A member of the Penguin History Group said she shed a tear when she heard that Queen Elizabeth II had died at the age of 96.
Mary Deverell, 94, has always looked up to the royal family, especially Queen Elizabeth II.
"I'm sad, I'm really sad - I'm sad she's no longer here," Mrs Deverell said.
"She's been wonderful for Australia and the world.
"I have not heard someone say a bad word about her. She has held the world together."
Mrs Deverell acknowledged the efforts of Her Majesty over the past 70 years.
"What an outstanding career she has had," she said.
"She is such a genuine person to everyone, she's one of us.
"If everyone was as kind as her, it would be a different world."
Mrs Deverell explained why she had so much admiration for the Queen.
"I saw her in Melbourne and everyone was uplifted by the Queen," she said.
"I just loved all her life and I looked forward to seeing her in pictures.
"Losing her has really got me down."
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Despite the friction within the family, Mrs Deverell hopes the Queen's death will unite them again.
"She didn't deserve the upsets but you can't condemn families," she said.
"I hope they all come together."
The Penguin History Group has held multiple royal events recently, marking the royal tour of Tasmania in 1954 as well as celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Rodney Woods
I have experience in agricultural, general and sport reporting during my time in northern Victoria and here at The Advocate over the past decade. If you have a story idea, contact me at: rodney.woods@theadvocate.com.au
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