Copyright 2006 The Federal Capital Press of Australia PTY Limited
All Rights Reserved
By MEGAN DOHERTY
Canberra Times (Australia)
Many regard the heroes of the January 2003 bushfires as being royalty themselves — but yesterday the men and women at the front line of Canberra’s worst disaster were treated to official recognition by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Twenty-five members of the ACT Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade and ACT Policing who worked to save Canberra during the fires more than three years ago were presented to the royal couple at Government House.
Ambulance paramedic Trevor Stohr said it had been a privilege to meet the Queen and an unanticipated honour.
“It’s something 21 years ago when I started in this job that I would never have dreamed of or expected,” he said.
RFS volunteers wore new uniforms “straight out of the plastic bag” to meet the royal couple, neatly ironed the night before by Roberta Liddell, the volunteers’ support officer at the Emergency Services Authority.
Robert Mack from the Tidbinbilla brigade said the Duke was “very chatty” and interested in the make-up of the emergency services. “I think what we’re impressed with is that as volunteers we don’t get recognition and we don’t seek recognition, but when it comes in the form of acknowledgement from royalty, it doesn’t get any better than that,” he said.
Gordon McAlpine, of Woden SES, said it was “magic” to meet the Queen.
“We had a long chat about each person’s individual contribution to the fire effort and she was very, very interested in what we had to do to support the firefighters,” he said.
The Queen and Prince Philip had a busy day in Canberra culminating in an official dinner at Parliament House which saw a crowd of more than 1500 gather outside to catch a fleeting glimpse of the couple inside a Rolls-Royce which drove up the forecourt.
The dinner in the Great Hall was attended by monarchists and republicans alike including rugby great George Gregan, media man Lachlan Murdoch and his wife Sarah O’Hare, Lady Sonia McMahon and former prime ministers Bob Hawke, Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam.
The Queen, on her 15th visit here, praised Australia, saying it was “amongst the most respected nations of the world” and commended its defence forces and contributions to the world in time of need.
She offered some diplomatic words in support of both multiculturalism and shared values.
“This country has welcomed people from many nations and thrived on the diversity that has produced,” she said.
“Even so, across this vast land, there exists an undiminished recognition that communities must be built on values that transcend race, religion and culture.”
The Queen used her address to point out some unfinished business for indigenous Australians.
“For many indigenous Australians, there remains much to be done. But I believe the unique contribution of indigenous Australia to the nation is better understood now than ever before.”
Describing the Queen as a “dear friend” of Australia, Prime Minister John Howard paid tribute to her “steadfastness”, “sincerity” and “devotion to duty”.
“I hazard to guess, ma’am, that there is nobody in the world who is more skilled in many ways in statecraft and more knowledgeable of politics, and has seen more of politicians and the passing panorama of political life, than you, yourself, have done,” Mr Howard said.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, a republican, argued history had seen Australia and Britain distinguish themselves but still remain united.
“Since the Second World War both our nations have forged new identities reflecting geographic realities — Britain as part of a united Europe, Australia as a nation in the Asia Pacific. And yet underneath it all there are different rhythms that move among our people,” Mr Beazley said.
“Though it seems we’ve pursued separate courses, the reality is the links — the people-to-people links — between our two nations brings all that back home.”
The Queen will leave Canberra this morning for Melbourne, where she will open the 18th Commonwealth Games tonight.