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During her 1954 tour of Australia, Queen Elizabeth II opens state parliament in Hobart and Melbourne, and is greeted by adoring crowds in both cities. The ABC stages a live radio broadcast from the centre of Melbourne.
Curator’s notes
This clip commences with footage shot at the Tasmanian countryside residence that accommodated the Queen and her party during the royal visit to the state from 20-24 February 1954. A mobile post office was established at the site to meet communication needs. On Monday 22 February the Queen opened the Tasmanian Parliament. The Hobart crowds were just as large and no less affectionate than those in the mainland cities.
From Tasmania, the tour continued on to Victoria. Victorian Parliament was opened by the Queen on Thursday 25 February, and she was greeted by an enormous Melbourne crowd. The Australian Broadcasting Commission carried out a live radio broadcast from the Queen’s Melbourne city appearance. At that time, the ABC’s technical facilities and equipment were serviced and operated by PMG technicians. As the commentary states, the broadcast was ‘the biggest ever undertaken in Victoria’. The clip finishes with night footage of tour decorations in the Melbourne streets.
