“It is a sad moment because she’s been our iconic leader,and she’s such a great role model,and now we have the King,” Fitzgerald,of Wahroonga,said.
Sue Anderson,67,of Newcastle,and Wendy Fitzgerald,65,of Wahroonga,visited Government House in Sydney to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on Friday.Flavio Brancaleone
Anderson,67,and Fitzgerald,65,planned to go to an exhibition on Friday but they instead detoured to St Andrew’s Cathedral to sign a condolence book for the Queen. They stayed for a thanksgiving service,which was one of the gestures - big and small - that Sydneysiders used to pay tribute to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.
Flags across NSW - including on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge - were flown at half-mast. The sails of the Opera House,which the Queen opened in 1973,will be illuminated in her honour on Friday and Saturday. The bells of Sydney’s GPO clock tower,Town Hall and St Andrew’s tolled 96 times - one for each year the Queen lived - at midday. And throughout the day,a steady trickle of mourners visited The Royal Botanic Garden,near the gates to Government House,to leave flowers and quietly pay their respects. Many more are expected in the coming days.
Anderson cried during the thanksgiving service and said it had drawn a mix of “people like us,younger people,and tradies.”
She heard the bells tolling as the pair walked through the city centre towards Government House and said that “everyone,if they weren’t stopped,they were walking very respectfully”.
Anderson said the Queen had symbolised stability,resilience and calm. She said King Charles III had “big shoes to fill”.
“I think we all loved Diana so much,that’s his problem. Look,[Queen Consort Camilla] is trying very hard.”
She said the Queen’s death had also triggered a sense of uncertainty for Australians.
“We’re now,as a country,in a bit of limbo. I think there’s every chance we’ll become a republic,unless someone can ramp up the fact that it won’t be too long until we have William and Kate.”
A framed photo of Queen Elizabeth among floral tributes outside Government House in Sydney on Friday.Dominic Lorrimer
Dozens of bunches of flowers surrounded a framed photo of the Queen outside Government House.
One note attached to a floral tribute said the Queen would be “remembered into eternity” for her service to England and the Commonwealth. Another said she was a “symbol of composure in uncertain times”.
One note referred to former prime minister Robert Menzies’ famous remarks about the Queen,and read:“‘I did but see her passing by,and yet I love her ’til I die’. Go well,Lilibet.”
Louise Nicolle,71,went to look at the flowers after watching a concert at the Opera House. She had cried as the audience observed a minute’s silence for the Queen before the orchestra played the Royal Anthem.
A steady stream of mourners left flowers.Flavio Brancaleone
“It was beautiful. It was a privilege being there.”
Nicolle,of Mount Colah,said she wrote a letter to the Queen when she was 12 years old,pointing out that she was about the same age as her daughter,Princess Anne.
“I got a response from her chief lady-in-waiting who said she had been commanded to write to thank me for my letter,which Her Majesty was ‘most interested to receive’. I still remember. It was very gracious,” Nicolle said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet signed a condolence book at Government House and laid flowers on Friday morning.
Former prime minister and monarchist Tony Abbott left flowers and paused to read tributes.Flavio Brancaleone
Perrottet said Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign had been navigated with “dignity,courage and commitment.
“She has been an inspiration to the global community and here in NSW,visiting our state 12 times,” he said.
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said in a statement on Friday that Queen Elizabeth II had shown “the utmost integrity,composure and an impeccable dedication to the service of her country and the Commonwealth.”
Former prime minister and monarchist Tony Abbott laid flowers outside Government House on Friday afternoon.
“While this is a very sombre day,it’s also a day to give thanks for a remarkable life,” he said.
Asked what he thought the Queen’s death meant for the future of the Commonwealth,Abbott said:
“Going forward,we repeat the ancient cry:the Queen is dead,long live the King.”
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