King's Birthday & Royal Visit

Today is the Kings birthday holiday in the Eastern States when the Birthday Honours List is published. This has prompted us to look for photographs of past Royal visits to Mundaring and surrounds.

Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, toured Australia in 1934, during the depression years. Henry was the third son of King George V and younger brother of Edward who later abdicated the throne to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson. Henry came to Australia to take part in the celebration of the centenary of the establishment of the State of Victoria. He also visited the other states of Australia between 4th October and 11th December.

Queen Elizabeth’s Visit in 1954 was two years after her coronation in 1953 and at that time there was a Polio epidemic in Australia which meant the local school children were not allowed to congregate in large numbers and were directed to gather in separate places along the Queen's journey through Mundaring. The Queen did not shake any hands at all.

Click image to enlarge and find out more information.

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  Crowd at War Memorial, Mundaring people waiting for the Duke of Gloucester's Visit 1934. P2004.033

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  Digby's Store ( now Physio on GE Highway Mundaring) decorated for Queen's Visit in 1954. P2004.069

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  Mundaring Post Office (now Mundaring Art Centre) decorated for the Queens Visit 1954. P2004.031

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  Werribee Boys Home(Wooroloo) Staff and Boys "Waiting to see the Duke." P2006.64

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  Chidlow's Well crowd waiting for Duke of Gloucester's drive by. Official vehicles shown P2007.3

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  Truck with boys from the Werribee Boys Home Wooroloo labelled "Been to see the Duke". P2025.14

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  Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester.