AS the representative of the sovereign in WA, Government House is the official site of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.
At Government House there is a condolence book in the ballroom and space outside for the laying of tributes.
Access to Government House and the book will be via the ballroom gate between Perth Council House and Government House during the hours of 8am to 6pm until the end of day on September 18.
The WA Governor Chris Dawson is due to attend the Australian National Memorial Service in Canberra on behalf of Western Australians but he will not travel to the UK.
On September 9 the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Governor-General David Hurley and he would be part of Australia’s presence at Her Majesty’s funeral.
The Queen’s reign of 70 years spanned two centuries with some of the most unprecedented periods of change in human history.
In his Vale notice Mr Dawson said her Majesty set the highest of standards for public life with its foundations firmly set in a dignified and unwavering commitment to her sense of duty and service to the people of Great Britain, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
“She lived up to this commitment, travelling more widely than any other Monarch and supporting over 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations,’’ he said.
“Her Majesty the Queen had a great love and affection for the people of Western Australia and visited seven times.
“The deep respect and affection for Her Majesty among Western Australians was no more evident when more than 100,000 people came to wish her well during her final visit to Western Australia in 2011 during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the naming of Elizabeth Quay during the year of her Diamond Jubilee.’’
Mr Dawson said the Queen visited Western Australia in:
- 1954 (January)
- 1963 (February/March)
- 1977 (March)
- 1981 (September/October)
- 1988 (April/May)
- 2000 (March/April)
- 2011 (October)
Read more about what will happen at Government House and how the community can be involved here
Electronic condolences are also available via the Governor-General’s website
The Australian Republic Movement (ARM) has paid respect to the significant contribution made by Queen Elizabeth II for more than seven decades as Head of State to Australia and 14 other nations.
In a statement ARM also expressed its condolences to the Royal Family.
But ARM also said Queen Elizabeth respected the self-determination of the Australian people.
“During her reign the Australia Act 1986 was passed eliminating many of the remaining opportunities for UK interference in Australian government,’’ the statement said.
“Appeals from Australian courts to British courts were abolished.
“The Queen backed the right of Australians to become a fully independent nation during the referendum on an Australian republic in 1999, saying that she has “always made it clear that the future of the Monarchy in Australia is an issue for the Australian people and them alone to decide, by democratic and constitutional means.”
ARM chairman Peter FitzSimons said during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, Australia had grown into a mature and independent nation.
“It is unlikely we will ever see a Monarch as respected or admired by the Australian people again,’’ he said.
The Greens leader Adam Bandt tweeted Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II.
“Our thoughts are with her family and all who loved her.
“Now Australia must move forward.
“We need Treaty with First Nations people and we need to become a Republic.’’
