Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

It's an honour to speak today on the extraordinary service of Her Majesty the Queen. We, the Commonwealth, are united in our grief on this terribly sad, sad occasion, the death of our longstanding sovereign—a wife, a mother, a great-grandmother, a remarkable woman who gave herself to service. The only reigning monarch to visit Australia, Her Majesty visited South Australia seven times. On her first visit, with her husband, Prince Philip, some 200,000 people lined the route from Parafield Airport to Government House. While it's said that three-quarters of Australia came out to visit the Queen in 1954, many of us alive today have never met her, but I think we all feel that we knew her, whether it was through watching the Christmas messages or staring at portraits in our soldiers memorial halls or seeing her face on our coins and notes. My personal favourite memory is the video from the Platinum Jubilee where Her Majesty was sharing a cup of tea and a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear, and I think that gave me a glimpse of the Queen's wonderful sense of humour.

I want to share with the parliament Her Majesty's connection to Mayo and some of the memories that have been shared with me by my constituents. Mark Seymour Walsh shared his memories of the Queen and Prince Philip in their 1954 tour. He was just a young child, living in Renmark at the time, but he remembers the red, white and blue ribbons; the bunting; the rosettes; the flags, and he remembers the huge crowds. He said:

It was certainly a great day and a great celebration of our new and lovely Queen.

Colleen Brown sent me a heartwarming story complete with pictures of her childhood doll that was given to her by her parents in celebration of the Queen's coronation, a doll that came with a crown, lace gown and sash, and in the doll's tummy was a little recorder that played 'God Save the Queen' and the nursery rhyme 'Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat', which, for those of us who know our nursey rhymes, tells a story of when a cat visited the Queen.

Joan of Victor Harbor remembered being a little girl in primary school joining many other schools and thousands of students at Wayville to celebrate and wave to the Queen.

In 1977 the Queen came to Mayo, visiting Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills at the Willomurra Quarter Horse Stud. I think we all know in this House of her love of horses.

The Adelaide Hills Kennel Club is unique in that it holds a royal connection directly with Her Majesty. The February 1986 expo was a world first in that the perpetual trophy was presented for Best of Breed Welsh Corgi Pembroke. This trophy was a personal gesture by Her Majesty in memory of the late Mrs Thelma Gray, an Adelaide Hills resident, corgi breeder and friend of the Queen.

Those in my electorate who have celebrated their centenary or 60th wedding anniversary received beautiful messages from the Queen. I've visited many to offer my best wishes, and it's clear to see the message from the Queen is the absolute highlight of their celebrations.

In May 1988, the Queen opened this very building, a symbol of the very heart of our democracy. In her speech at the opening of the new Parliament House, Her Majesty remarked:

Parliamentary democracy is a compelling ideal, but it is a fragile institution. It cannot be imposed and It is only too easily destroyed. It needs the positive dedication of the people as a whole, and of their elected representatives, to make it work.

Insightful words.

A steady stream of constituents have attended my electorate. We've had more than 80 people sign the condolence book, and just today Mount Barker Primary School dropped off their condolence messages. I'd just like to share a couple. Betty wrote of the Queen:

… a mother figure to everyone and will be deeply missed. She will always be remembered for her gracious caring way and wonderful service.

Roger wrote:

Farewell my Queen, a constant in our everchanging world.

Ethan from Mount Barker Primary School wrote:

I'm grateful for the kindness you gave to everyone. You also made very kind decisions that influenced others to do the same.

In closing, I reflect on the eloquent words of Stefan and Janice: 'A golden heart at rest.' May our Queen rest in eternal peace, and God save the King.

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