In honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, it’s fitting to reminisce about her first historic visit to Tasmania in 1954. This marked her first time setting foot on Tasmanian soil, a significant moment for the island and the Commonwealth. In this post, we’ll explore the royal tour’s organisation, its significance, and the Queen’s experiences in Tasmania during this memorable visit.
THE QUEEN’S VISITS TO TASMANIA
Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest serving monarch, serving from 6 February 1952 until 8 September 2022. She commenced her reign by embarking on a historic tour of the Commonwealth between November 1953 and May 1954, with Australia being a stop on a journey that also included the West Indies, Oceania, Asia and Africa . This was to be the first time a reigning monarch had set foot on Tasmanian soil.
In commemoration of her Platinum Jubilee, let’s take a look at Queen Elizabeth II’s first Tasmanian tour in 1954.
Organising a Royal Tour
Organising such a royal visit was a monumental task, requiring meticulous planning down to the split-second. Past visits from royals had seen unfortunate mishaps, including ‘outright bungling’ by officials, riots, a train wreck, and even an attempted assassination. To ensure the Queen’s safety, 4,500 troops and cadets guarded her during her time in Tasmania. The tour, whilst no doubt fatiguing, seems to have progressed smoothly.
The strain of such tours was not unknown, as seen during Prince of Wales’ 1920 tour of Australia. It was reported he was rushed from engagement to engagement, until his doctor ordered a week’s rest before continuing further. This time officials vowed to modify the Queen’s itinerary if it became overwhelming, but one might question the need for such a demanding schedule in the first place.
1954 Tour of Tasmania
Tasmania, and Australia more widely, was only one stop on what was a long (and no doubt challenging) tour of the Commonwealth. The Queen was young (around 28 years of age); had had her life change with the death of her father only two years prior; and her two small children – Prince Charles and Princess Anne – remained at home separated from her for around six months.
The visit to Tasmania occurred around halfway through the tour of the Commonwealth. Although the Tasmanian stop was only short there were numerous official engagements which were no doubt tiring for the young Queen. The Hobart portion of the itinerary contained some 15 events alone.
Premier Robert Cosgrove’s greeting to the Queen and His Royal Highness was published in The Mercury on 19 February 1954.
It is with feelings of deep affection and pride that the people of Tasmania welcome Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, to these shores.
Geographically, we are remotely situated from the Throne, but there is no more loyal community in the British Commonwealth than those who dwell in this lovely island.
This is the first visit Tasmania has enjoyed from a reigning Sovereign, and it is gratifying and pleasing that Queen Elizabeth has travelled so far so soon to receive the homage of her distant peoples.She would take abiding comfort in the knowledge that she is honoured with respect and love by her subjects in Tasmania. Long May She Reign Over Us.
Robert Cosgrove, Premier of Tasmania (1954)
Premier Cosgrove and his wife Dame Gertrude Cosgrove had met Queen Elizabeth twice during her coronation events in England the year before. Dame Cosgrove described to the Examiner the thrilling moment of seeing the Queen crowned in Westminster Abbey.
THE 1954 TASMANIAN ITINERARY
The broad brushstrokes of the itinerary were as follows –
| Saturday 20 February 1954 | Arrive Hobart on the TSS Gothic |
| Sunday 21 February 1954 | Hobart |
| Monday 22 February 1954 | Hobart |
| Tuesday 23 February 1954 | Fly from Hobart to Wynyard Visit Burnie, Penguin, Ulverstone, Latrobe, Deloraine, Westbury, Longford Overnight in Cressy at the historic Connorvale |
| Wednesday 24 February 1954 | Morning in Launceston Afternoon departure from Launceston Airport |
Below is the itinerary for the Queen’s first day in Tasmania upon arrival into Hobart. Though not all days in the Tasmanian tour were as jampacked, the itinerary for the Queen’s first day in Tasmania gives some indication of just how tiring the lengthy tour would be.
After spending the best part of three days in Hobart, the Queen’s time in the Northern half of the state was more limited.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II’s FIRST VISIT TO LAUNCESTON
Large crowds gathered to see the Queen. It was reported that some 75,000 people lined the streets of Launceston, gathering from 6am, to see her. The Queen spoke at the Town Hall in Launceston, describing Launcestonians as warm and welcoming.
My stay in Tasmania has, of necessity, been all too short, but we shall carry away happy memories of the charm of your island state and steadfast kindness of its people.
Queen Elizabeth II, 24 February 1954
The Queen was farewelled by 5000 people at Launceston Airport as she departed for the next leg of her tour in Melbourne.
Queen Elizabeth II, the first reigning monarch to visit Tasmania, left a lasting impact. The Examiner editorialised after the Queen’s departure
…now that the Queen has gone it can be said emphatically that the basis of allocation of time between Hobart and the rest of the state was most unjust to the majority of the people of Tasmania.
The Examiner, 25 February 1954
Did Northern Tasmania get the raw end of the deal or was this Tasmania’s infamous parochialism raising its head?
Further Visits to Tasmania
The Queen visited Tasmania a further six times after her 1954 tour.
| 1954 | Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visit Hobart, North-West and Launceston |
| 1963 | The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Hobart |
| 1970 | The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne visited Hobart, Launceston, Ranelagh and Longley |
| 1977 | The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Hobart, Launceston and Bridgewater |
| 1981 | The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Hobart Launceston and Rokeby |
| 1988 | The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visit Hobart, Launceston and the North-West |
| 2000 | The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visit Hobart and Launceston |
Conclusion
Queen Elizabeth II’s 1954 visit to Tasmania was a momentous occasion. Though brief, its left a lasting impression on the Tasmanian people, who came out in droves to greet their beloved monarch. The meticulous planning and tireless efforts of the organisers ensured a smooth and memorable tour. This event was a testament to Tasmania’s loyalty to the Crown at the time.
UPDATE: This post was originally published to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Since initial publication, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. We extend our condolences to the royal family at this time. 5 September 2022.
Sources
“Another Royal Tour”, Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga), 15 March 1954, p.2
“Early Royal Tours Made Us Blush”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.11
“We’ll Always Remember”, Examiner, 25 February 1954, p.1
“Four Days of Split-Second Timing”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.10
“In the Path of a Queen”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.11
“Launceston Timetable”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.6
“May 1954: Queen returns after lengthy tour of the Commonwealth”, BBC, 15
May 1954 https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-17586059
“North-West Coast Itinerary”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.6
“Premier’s Greeting”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.9
“Queen, Duke Eager for Tasmanian Visit”, Examiner, 19 August 1953, p.5
“Queen Not Tired After First Stage of Tour”, Northern Star, 13 February 1954, p.1
“Queen Not Tired: No Tour Changes”, Courier Mail, 13 February 1954, p.1
“The Queen Tired? Nonsense!”, Australian Women’s Weekly, 20 January 1954,
p.23
“The Tour in Detail”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, pp.4-6
“Visit in Retrospect”, Examiner, 25 February 1954, p.2
“Wear Your Best; Do Your Best”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.6
“4,500 Troops will Guard the Queen”, Mercury, 19 February 1954, p.9
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