After slightly more than 70 years on the throne, becoming Britain's longest reigning monarch and the second longest reigning monarch in the world, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at her Balmoral estate on Thursday evening, September 8, 2022. She was 96 years old.
Queen Elizabeth visited James Cook University with Prince Philip and Princess Anne on 20th April, 1970, where she signed the Royal Assent on the Bill that made JCU an official university. As part of her visit to the fledgling university, the Queen and her family visited the recently completed library building. The desk at which she sat to sign the documents is currently located in the Special Collections Reading Room of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library (she also the visitor's book at that desk, shown in the photograph below).
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| JCU Corporate Records |
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| JCU Corporate Records |
Footage of the Queen's visit to JCU was digitised for the University's 50th anniversary in 2020, and can be seen in NQHeritage@JCU (https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/749/). The footage of the Queen begins at 6:06. Posters featuring the Queen's visit were produced for the 40th anniversary, and can also be found in NQHeritage@JCU (https://nqheritage.jcu.edu.au/410/). More photos of the Queen's visit to Townsville are held by the Townsville City Libraries' Picture Catalogue.
Queen Elizabeth was the first reigning monarch to visit Australia, and she visited the country several times during her reign, visiting every state and many cities. For most Australians today, she has been the only monarch they have known, and she has been a feature of our lives for several generations.
Elizabeth II was a much loved and respected figure, and she will be well missed and fondly remembered.
Our condolences go out to her friends and family, and to all who will feel her death keenly. Our best wishes to King Charles III, at this time of great loss and change.
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