As Australia mourns the passing of Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, we remember the historical event when Elizabeth acceded the throne on 6 February 1952 on the passing of the late King George VI.

In the lead up to the Queen’s Coronation on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London, our region prepared for Coronation celebrations. Let’s take a look at some of the events leading up to the Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation….

Gympie City prepares for Coronation Celebrations and the Gympie Times reporting confirms that events would be confined to day time due to forecasted cold weather – meaning nightime celebrations would be a bit chilly!

The Town Hall was decorated with bunting and coloured lights and shops windows had Coronation displays and decorations. Gympie’s Coronation celebrations would be including a street procession, local church services, and children’s sports event at Albert Park. Click and view the timetable of events below and the details of the procession route through Gympie city.

The Town Hall was decorated with the outstanding feature of a replica of the Crown on the face of the building. The Gympie Times confirmed the Gympie Coronation celebrations printed on 30 May 1953. Then then Mayor of Gympie City Council, Alderman R. N. Witham declared:

“The celebrations will be fittingly carried out and all that is required now is fine weather to make this a red-letter day in the memory of Gympie citizens”.

Invitation was extended to owners of decorated vehicles, trade displays or any organisations and individuals to participate in the procession. The procession’s end destination being Albert Park whereby serving forces would continue ceremony with the Royal Salute and “feu-de-joie” (rifle salute and fire) in honour of Her Majesty’s Coronation.

The Gympie Musical Union Choir would perform on the dias in front of the grandstand and lead community singing of patriotic airs. The afternoon would follow with a program of children’s sports at Albert Park.

“School children from nearby country schools are also welcome as the committee has made complete arrangements to cover the distribution of soft drinks, ice creams and sweets”.