PURPLE HONOUR… The Forbes Town Hall was lit up in purple last Friday to honour the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Right: Flags at the Parkes Shire Library were lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect. The Australian Government has an online condolence book at www.pmc.gov.au.
Residents of the Forbes and Parkes Shires have been saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II since the announcement of the news by Buckingham Palace last Friday.
“My sympathies to everyone since the passing of our beautiful Queen,” said Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller. “Personally, I do not know life without her as our Queen, like many in our community. Her 70 years of selfless service was an inspiration.”
Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith said: “On behalf of my fellow Councillors, Council staff and the residents of the Parkes Shire, I extend my deepest sympathies to His Majesty King Charles III, the Royal family, and all those mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was the longest of any British monarch, and over her seven decades on the throne, she proved to be a rare and reassuring constant amidst a period of extraordinary change,” said Ken.
Flags at both Councils were lowered to half-mast last Friday as a mark of respect. The Queen visited Australia 16 times, which included 12 visits to NSW visiting Bathurst, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Katoomba, Lismore, Lithgow, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong.
The Prime Minister announced a one-off public holiday on Thursday, 22nd September as a national day of mourning to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Forbes Shire Council will be holding a short service for the public on the day at 10:30am to lay wreaths and flowers and observe a minute’s silence at 11am.