Memories of Her Majesty
9 Sep. 2022Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, The Barossa Council fondly remembers the special connection she had to the region.
Mayor Bim Lange recalls reading about the 1954 royal tour to Australia which included a visit to Seppeltsfield and other Barossa locations.
“That visit promptly saw the construction and sealing of Seppeltsfield Road by the government of the day,” Mayor Lange said.
“Apparently, there was a grand Royal Banquet held in the long room underneath the Kaiserstuhl building in Nuriootpa that evening.”
In 1977 the Queen returned to the Barossa and visited Lindsay Park Stud near Angaston, before her most recent visit in 2002 when she again delighted crowds of excited locals who gathered along the tour route in the hope of catching a glimpse of the much-loved monarch.
“Queen Elizabeth officially opened the rose garden at ‘Chateau Barrosa’, as it was known back then, followed by a dinner hosted by previous Barossa Mayor, the late Brian Hurn OAM,” Mayor Lange said.
“She visited other locations too, including the Tanunda Lutheran Home where she officially opened the High Care Facility and signed their visitors’ book.”
There was a moment Mayor Lange witnessed in his hometown during Her Majesty’s final tour to the Barossa, one that remains vivid in his memory.
“I remember the day her motorcade travelled through Williamstown and Lady Mary Downer had joined the town gathering in the main street,” he said.
“The Queen’s car stopped, Her Majesty had obviously recognised Lady Downer in the street and her car window opened. That famous gloved hand appeared, beckoning Lady Downer to come over and have a brief chat.
There would be many stories within the Barossa community about people who had the privilege to meet and be greeted by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Whether royalist or republican, she was a truly grand and timeless person. May she rest in peace - long live the King.”