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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3066095486

Australia. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (). Royal visit by... Retrieved April 27, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3066095486

Australia. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Royal visit by... Canberra: Dept. of Prime Minister and Cabinet, . Web. 27 April 2024 < http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3066095486 >

Australia. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. , Royal visit by... Dept. of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Canberra viewed 27 April 2024 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3066095486

{{Citation   | author1=Australia. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.   | title= Royal visit by...   | year=   | section=v. ; 15-18 cm.   | issue=1970   | location=Canberra   | publisher=Dept. of Prime Minister and Cabinet   | url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3066095486   | id= nla.obj-3066095486   | access-date=27 April 2024   | via=Trove }}

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11

Royal Tour of Australia, 1970

Royal Tour of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne included a visit to Coffs Harbour.

Footage of the tour of Coffs Harbour was recorded by the ABC. 

royal visit melbourne 1970

ABC,  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-12/live-updates-queen-elizabeth-ii-dies-funeral-procession/101428064

The Royal party visited Coffs Harbour on Saturday 11 April 1970.

Commemorating the visit of the Queen and family in 1970, February 2012

The Royal family is farewelled from Coffs Harbour, 11 April 1970

The Royal family is farewelled from Coffs Harbour, April 1970

The Royal family is welcomed to Coffs Harbour, April 1970

Bunting in place to welcome the Royal family to Coffs Harbour, April 1970

The Royal family meets the people in Coffs Harbour, April 1970

The Royal family at Bruxner Park, April 1970

The Queen meets the people in Coffs Harbour, April 1970

The Queen and Princess Anne at Bruxner Park, April 1970

The Queen arrives at Coffs Harbour, April 1970

The Royal family at Bruxner Park Lookout, April 1970

The Queen admires the felled timber, April 1970

The Queen and Prince Philip visit Coffs Harbour, April 1970

Coffs Habour, N.S.W. Picture Postcard, c. 1970

The Queen meets the crowd, April 1970

Inspecting a surf carnival, 1970

Duke of Edinburgh on the Royal tour, April 1970

Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia anchored at Jetty Beach, 11 April 1970

A crowd of 20,000 watches the Queen's procession, 11 April 1970

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Panorama of Progress

That was the decade that was

Special Train Notice No. 231

Coffs Harbour Shire Council's Visitors Book, c.1966

Route & Itinerary for Royal Tour, 1970

Royal Visit ephemera, 1970

Letter from A. E. Hogbin on board H. M. Yacht Britannia, 1970

Souvenir Programme for the Bi-centenary Celebrations and Royal Visit, April 1970

The Royal Tour Surf Carnival, Coffs Harbour

Commemorative Plaque, 1970

Royal Visit Pennant, 1970

Banner Commemorating Royal Visit for 1970 Bicentenary

royal visit melbourne 1970

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Queen goes walkabout in series of rare photos of 1970 Australian Royal tour

AS the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday this long weekend, the Daily Telegraph has been given access to a series or rare photographs taken during her first ‘walkabout’ tour of Australia in 1970.

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  • QUEEN’S HISTORIC 90TH CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON

AS the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday this long weekend, the Daily Telegraph has been given access to a series or rare photographs taken during her first ‘walkabout’ tour of Australia in 1970.

The photographs provide an intimate insight into the extensive tour undertaken by Her Majesty, Prince Philip, Princess Anne and for part of the tour, Prince Charles.

The first ‘walkabout’ practice was introduced to allow the Royals to meet and greet a greater number of people, not simply officials and dignitaries, and has continued successfully ever since.

Matthew Butson, Vice President of Getty Images’ Hulton Archive, said the ‘walkabout’ broke centuries of tradition and “has provided some extremely candid photographs of the Royal Family”.

“While these tours are more frequent in 2016 – back in 1970 the enthusiasm of the public was near-universal and certainly demonstrative,” he said.

“The Royal Family are now much more media savvy in terms of communicating with the

public and stopping to talk randomly to crowds in the street. You have to remember that in

1970 we were only just starting to think about what type of engagement would attract the

modern TV audience.

“Princess Diana’s approach struck a chord with people everywhere – she had an instinctive ability to engage with the public. Now think about the photographs you see of William and Kate, they travel extensively when they visit a country, meetingpeople everywhere – being involved in everything from dragon-boat racing to playing cricket in Mumbai.”

The Royals touched down on Easter Monday, March 30, and toured the country for 34 days travelling to the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania.

The extensive tour was made in connection with the bi-centenary of Captain James Cook who sailed up the east coast of Australia in 1770. The tour gathered large crowds who turned out to get a glimpse of Royal blood.

At the time Charles was 22-years-old and one of the world’s most eligible bachelors.

“The Getty Images archive only houses a few images of Prince Charles during the 1970 tour of

Australia, but he very much has the look of a young man enjoying the limelight,” said Mr Butson.

“Some of the female attention was a stunt. It was no coincidence that when model Jane Priest pounced on thePrince as he emerged from the Australian surf during a later tour in 1979 it was right in front of some photographers.”

* Matthew Butson has managed the numerous, world-renowned collections at the Getty Images Hulton Archive for nearly 15 years. In 2009, he was awarded the J Dudley Johnston Award by the Royal Photographic Society, for his outstanding contribution to photography and in 2012 was made an honorary fellow of the Society.

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Category : 1970 royal visit to Australia by Elizabeth II of Australia

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  • 1970 visit to Brisbane by Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; and Princess Anne ‎ (72 F)

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When we celebrated Captain Cook in 1970, Australia was a very different place

Analysis When we celebrated Captain Cook in 1970, Australia was a very different place

The Queen smiles at indigenous schoolchildren waving union jacks

Whenever our Prime Minister makes an announcement of any event to mark the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia in 1770, Australians react.

There's two reactions and both are angry about the upcoming 2020 Sestercentennial.

One is dismayed that this harbinger of colonialism should be celebrated at all.

The other is that we are failing to properly appreciate this master navigator and scientist.

It wasn't like this in 1970. Then, Australia was in the grip of Cook bicentennial fever.

The replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour

A different Australia

In the months leading up to April 1970, all of the daily papers ran excerpts from the journals of Cook and Joseph Banks.

An Endeavour 2 — not exactly a replica, more just an old boat with sails — set off from Plymouth to recreate the entire journey. Its progress was noted daily.

The Royal Family, The Queen, Prince Philip, and at times Charles and Anne, were here for months.

The Queen arrived and spent 40 dreary days at civic receptions and pageants of progress, including one in Cooktown.

Black and white photo of people looking at an exhibit

There, she met Mr George Doughboy who wore a brass plate around his neck reading King of Bloomfield River Tribe. Then, for her pleasure and enlightenment, floats were sent up the main street featuring the "original Aborigines", followed by one outlining the "terrible difficulties faced by pioneer James Morril when dealing with the hostile natives".

After those early days were dispensed with, the Queen got an hour or two of steam engines, old tractors and vintage cars, and people in period costume. It was often unclear which period the costume came from — but it was from the olden days and that was enough.

There were re-enactments galore

Many towns staged a re-enactment of Cook's arrival, including a miniature Endeavour on the Yarra in Melbourne, a Cook who rowed his way up the Manilla River in Tamworth and a dusty Cook who was towed around an oval in Mt Isa.

We would barely recognise this Australia, which put the Cook bust on everything and proudly proclaimed him the Discoverer of Australia.

Along with the re-enactments, we held Pageants of Progress in every town and Exhibitions of the Olden Days in every Town Hall.

A band in sailor costumes play in front of Australian flags and Union Jacks

There was a Bicentenary Bowls Tournament, a fishing competition, and at Sydney's Harold Park, greyhounds raced for the Endeavour Trophy. There was a Captain Cook regatta on Kogarah Bay and a cicentenary rifle shooting championship at the Long Bay Rifle Range.

You could buy the Captain Cook Book — a collection of recipes from the Endeavour and colonial Australia.

The Mint sold out of commemorative 50 cent pieces featuring Cook's glowering portrait, priced at 60 cents.

In the Sun Herald, Mr Dear of Tasman street, Bondi won the Cook Treasure Hunt — a competition that pretended Cook buried a "Spanish treasure chest" in the Pacific, its location revealed by weekly clues.

Wilbur Kentwell performed a selection of popular tunes on the Wurlitzer at Marrickville Town Hall.

Wilkinson Sword, the razor blade company, sold a limited reproduction of Cook's own sword — "Buy early", they advised, "our last offering was over-subscribed".

The crowning moments were in Canberra and Sydney. The Queen attended the launch of the Captain Cook Fountain in Lake Burley Griffin and then a few days later a re-enactment of Cook's arrival at Kurnell in Botany Bay.

This re-enactment was a worldwide television event staged by American Hayes Gordon, fresh from starring in Fiddler on the Roof.

Actor Don Reid in a three-cornered hat was rowed ashore and some local Aboriginal people were hired to throw stones in Cook's direction. Then, Cook stepped forth and claimed possession of the land in the name of King George, one of the Queen's less stable ancestors.

Cook didn't actually take possession until he landed on Possession Island in the Torres Straight some months later.

Curating a national fantasy

The mood and mindset of the nation is summed up by the winner of the Sun Herald Juniors Pages' Cook Poetry Competition, Clare Howard:

"The discovery of Australia by Cook and his band, Was the wonderful beginning of the founding of our land. From that sturdy ship Endeavour, those brave men came ashore. They found the natives friendly, in spite of the spears they bore."

The mood of the nation was determined by the politicians, the local mayors, the presidents of Rotary clubs, the chairs of the ladies' auxiliaries, the newspaper editors and media producers, who were all overwhelmingly descended from the British.

The post-war migrants from the rest of Europe had barely had time to settle in, have some children and start importing olive oil and decent coffee.

Most Australians in 1970 wanted Cook to be discoverer and founder of Australia, because it linked us with a great man and the Enlightenment voyages of discovery, but also because it allowed us to leap over Arthur Phillip and the convicts.

The convict stain was still fresh and not to be mentioned. It was considered shameful to have a sheep stealer, a forger or pick-pocket in the family tree.

In 1970, you could be talking about someone's grandparents — all were keen to distance themselves from an ancestor who arrived here in chains.

Portrait of Captain James Cook by Nathaniel Dance-Holland.

Where was the Indigenous story?

The other mindset still dominant at the time of the Cook bicentennial was the notion of terra nullius.

The Queen at least in her Canberra Speech acknowledged that not all had been good for the "native" inhabitants.

But for Prime Minister Gorton and Premier Askin in NSW, that was all history and it was time for the world to take note of what a terrific job we'd done down here.

"Cook's discovery tilled the ground for the seeds of settlement for Governor Phillip. From these seeds comes a great and free nation — predominantly British," said Premier Askin.

"The Aborigines made some resistance and suffered from their contact with our culture. We are now trying to restore what they inevitably lost from moving out of the Stone Age and into the machine age."

Cooman and another Gweagal warrior confronting Lt James Cook

Protests regarded as 'fringe' activism

A 60,000-year history, land rights, native title, the Aboriginal Flag, referring to Aboriginal people as First Australians and as Wurundjeri or Gadigal, Welcome to Country — those notions had barely been considered.

But there was protest to the bicentenary. Poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal, then known as Kath Walker, led some hundreds in a bicentennial boycott, declared it a day of mourning and threw wreaths in the ocean at La Perouse.

This was a side issue, reported on This Day Tonight, but otherwise buried beneath the bunting, the fireworks, the souvenirs and commemorative stamps.

The Cook bicentennial was a year-long huzzah. An attempt to claim Captain James Cook as our Columbus — founder of this now world-class nation bursting with pride down under.

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In pictures: A look back at Queen Elizabeth II's visits to Australia during her 70-year reign - as nation mourns her death

Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia 16 times during her long reign, including to open the Sydney Opera House in 1973, Parliament House in 1988 and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.  

Bryant Hevesi

Queen Elizabeth II's "deep affection" for Australia is being remembered as the nation mourns her death aged 96.

Her Majesty died "peacefully" at her Balmoral home in Scotland on Thursday afternoon (local time) surrounded by close family members. 

She was the first reigning sovereign to visit Australia, making a total of 16 trips Down Under during her 70-year reign, the longest in British history.

The Queen's visits included opening the Sydney Opera House in 1973, Darling Harbour in 1988 and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.  

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The Queen walks with then NSW premier Robert Askin in front of a large crowd to open the Sydney Opera House on October 20, 1973. Picture: News Ltd

She first visited in 1954, two years after ascending to the throne following the death of her father King George VI, and made her last visit in 2011.

More than seven million Australians, or 70 per cent of the country's population at the time, turned out to catch a glimpse of the young Queen during her first visit. 

"From her famous first trip to Australia, the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

"Fifteen more tour before cheering crowds in every part of our country confirmed the special place she held in ours."

On a visit in 1988, the Queen opened the new Parliament House in Canberra, with the parliament's website on Friday stating: "She had a deep affection for Australia and its people, visiting on many occasions to perform official functions".  

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh after arriving at Canberra Airport on October 17, 1973. Picture: Staff photographer

"The Parliament of Australia sends its deepest condolences to her family and will commemorate her life in coming days."

Her majesty's 12 visits to New South Wales featured trips to country towns including Tamworth and Wagga Wagga. 

"As the first reigning monarch to visit our nation, Queen Elizabeth set foot for the first time on Australian soil in 1954 at Farm Cove in Sydney Harbour where an unprecedented crowd of more than one million people greeted her," NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said. 

"The public's overwhelming jubilation and enthusiasm at seeing the young monarch was the beginning of the state's long-held joy in her frequent visits.

The Queen is pictured on May 28, 1980 during a visit to Australia. Picture: News Corp Australia

"Her Late Majesty will forever be connected to pivotal moments in our State's history. She officially opened the Parliament of New South Wales in 1954, Sydney Opera House in 1973, Parramatta Stadium in 1986, and Darling Harbour in 1988.

"She also visited NSW regional areas including Newcastle, Lismore, Orange, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga, drawing huge crowds of well-wishers."

The Queen visited Victoria 11 times, with Premier Daniel Andrews saying "during those trips, she left her mark on the state we know today".

"She talked with patients and families at the Royal Children's – and opened our Commonwealth Games," Mr Andrews said. 

The Queen at the opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra in 1988. Picture: News Ltd

"She rode a tram around the Hoddle grid, watched Richmond win at the MCG, and caught a show at the Princess Theatre.

"She travelled across the state – visiting Tatura, Echuca, Rochester, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Ballarat and Geelong - touching so much of what makes Victoria special.

"Her historic reign and long life has come to an end, but Victorians’ deep affection and respect for Her Majesty lives on."

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk noted Her Majesty visited the state "often and displayed her care and concern for the people of this state, especially during times of natural disasters".

The Queen, standing next to Ron Walker, meets Ian Thorpe and Kylie Palmer on Day 1 of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Picture: Nathan Richter/News Corp Australia

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said the Queen will forever be an inspiration to the state's residents. 

"Most Western Australians have never known another monarch, with Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning British monarch," Mr McGowan said. 

"She led the Commonwealth through some of the darkest days and will forever be an inspiration to the world and Western Australia, a State she visited seven times."

South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said: "Her Majesty's great fondness and interest in the welfare of South Australians was evident through her seven visits to our state during her reign". 

The Queen and then prime minister Julia Gillard make their way to a reception at Parliament House in Canberra in 2011. Picture: Kym Smith

"Her Majesty's first visit to South Australia was with the late Duke of Edinburgh in March 1954," Mr Malinauskas said.  

"Some 200,000 people lined the route from the Parafield Airport, where they were met by the Premier, Tom Playford at Government House. Her last visit to South Australia was in February 2002."

Commonwealth countries will observe 10 days of mourning and remembrance in the period between the Queen's death and her funeral. However, in Australia there will not be a limit placed on mourning of the Queen.

The Prime Minister will declare a day of National Memorial Service and a National Day of mourning as he suspended parliament for at least a fortnight.

Mr Albanese and the Governor-General will travel to London in the coming days to meet with King Charles III, as they offer condolences on behalf of Australia.

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  • Free general admission

First royal visit

1867: Australia’s first royal visit – by Prince Alfred, son of Queen Victoria

Prince Alfred in South Australia: His Royal Highness Receiving the Address of the Adelaide City Corporation . National Library of Australia obj-140401734

Etching of a horse and carriage scene .

On 31 October 1867 Prince Alfred, second eldest son of Queen Victoria, landed in Adelaide. The Prince was the first member of the British royal family to visit Australia and attracted huge crowds wherever he went.

The tour was marred by rioting, farce, tragedy and Australia's first political assassination attempt. Irishman Henry James O’Farrell shot and wounded the Prince at a Sydney picnic in 1868.

Melbourne Punch , 1867:

80,000 loafers all jammed together. At a Melbourne Banquet, in very hot weather. 80,000 hungry souls, gnashing their teeth. Eager to drink the wine, and gorge the roast beef. 80,000 savages, dirty and greasy. Dr Louis Smith, clean but uneasy. 80,000 drunken louts roaring for wine. A thin line of troopers drawn up in line. Many pretty little girls and spectators huddled. 80,000 Melburnians stupid and fuddled. Wasn’t this a picture to make Melbourne wince? Wasn’t this a dainty dish to set before the Prince.

Naval career

Born in 1844 Prince Alfred was the fourth child and second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

He joined the Royal Navy at age 14 as a midshipman and by 1866 had attained the rank of captain and had command of HMS Galatea, a steam-powered sail-equipped frigate. In the same year, Alfred was made Duke of Edinburgh.

In January 1867 the Galatea set sail from Plymouth on a round the world voyage visiting the Mediterranean before making a state visit to the emperor of Brazil. Two months were spent in the Cape Colony in South Africa before crossing the Indian Ocean to Australia.

Warm welcome in South Australia

The Prince docked in Glenelg on the outskirts of Adelaide on the afternoon of 31 October 1867. Massive crowds greeted him and lined the roads on the way into the city.

As darkness fell, 40,000 gas lights illuminated the colony’s public offices and immense portraits of the Prince adorned many of the buildings. Alfred spent three weeks in South Australia and masses of people assembled to greet him.

He left the state with a very positive impression saying in a letter to the press that, ‘I have noticed in Adelaide an absence of the poor and rowdy class, so numerous elsewhere’. Considering the SA Parliament had just legislated to keep the colony convict-free, his comment would have had an appreciative audience.

H.R.H. Prince Alfred, K.G., Duke of Edinburgh, HS Sadd, 1868. National Library of Australia obj-135977024

Studio photo of youngish man wearing naval uniform. - click to view larger image

Religious tension and in Victoria

On 24 November 1867 Prince Alfred arrived in Melbourne and again huge crowds welcomed him. But religious tensions marred his time in the colony.

The Protestant community hall was decorated with an image showing William of Orange, the 17th-century English King, defeating Catholic armies at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland.

Given the tension between Catholics and Protestants in Australia this was a provocative gesture. Crowds of Irish Catholics gathered outside the hall, singing republican Irish songs and throwing stones.

As the group was beginning to disperse the windows of the hall opened and shots were fired into the mob. A Catholic boy was killed and a riot ensued.

There was more mayhem on 27 November at the free public banquet the Prince was to attend.

The organising committee had planned for a crowd of up to 10,000 people, a substantial proportion of Melbourne’s 200,000 population, but 40,000 people arrived expecting free food and wine.

The crowd became restless, and when the Prince cancelled his appearance due to concerns he might be trampled, the angry crowd charged the barriers and another riot took place as thousands fought over the food on the tables and the wine that was to be dispensed from fountains.

Despite these unfortunate events the public was not dissuaded from trying to see the Prince and enormous gatherings continued to follow him. In Geelong, where another free banquet had been organised, larger than planned for crowds again gathered and the organising committee fled.

In Bendigo, a huge firework display was planned. The focus of the spectacle was a model of the ship Galatea. Tragically, three boys climbed into the model and set off the fireworks. They were trapped inside and burned to death.

Two days later a ball was planned at the newly built and named Alfred Hall. Unfortunately, it was a timber building lit with gas lamps and some of the calico sheeting inside caught fire and the hall burned to the ground.

Visit of H.R.H. Prince Alfred to New South Wales – Harbour Reception – The 'Galatea' approaching her anchorage off Fort Macquarie, Port Jackson, F Garling. State Library of NSW 423840

Etching of harbour scene in which a tall ship is prominent. Crowds line the foreshore.

Australia's first political assassination attempt

On 21 January 1868, having visited Tasmania, Prince Alfred arrived in Sydney where he spent a month before travelling to Queensland for a week.

When the Prince arrived back in Sydney in early March his staff requested a less demanding social schedule. The royal tour organising committees agreed, but one event the Prince had agreed to attend was a picnic to raise funds to build a sailors’ home.

The picnic was scheduled for 12 March at Clontarf on Sydney’s north shore. Yet again, larger than expected crowds arrived early at the scene. The Prince sailed up from Sydney Harbour in his steam launch and landed in time for lunch.

After the meal he was escorted by one of the patrons of the event, Sir William Manning, on a walk. A man approached them from the crowd, pulled a double-barreled pistol from his jacket and shot the Prince in the back at close range.

Alfred fell to the ground calling, ‘Good God, I am shot … My back is broken’. The assailant was immediately tackled by a Mr Thorne, who wrestled the weapon from him as he tried to fire a second round.

Attempted assassination of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh at Clontarf, N.S.W. , Samuel Calvert, 1868. National Library of Australia obj-136065850

An etching of a crowd scene surrounding an injured person and a gun-wielding man.

Assassin hanged

The shot had been heard around the picnic ground and the crowd panicked. The Prince was surrounded by a cordon of men, and after a medical examination confirmed the injury was not life threatening he was escorted back to his launch.

The would-be assassin was Henry James O’Farrell, a Catholic Irishman. Australia’s ongoing fear of Irish nationalism, which had become focused on the Catholic community and the separatist Fenian movement, meant that the predominantly Protestant crowd almost lynched O’Farrell on the spot.

Over the next few months there was an outpouring of anti-Catholic sentiment. ‘Indignation meetings’ were held around the country and the newspapers were full of articles attacking the Irish. This sectarian animosity which until then had been somewhat underground now became very public.

The Prince made a full recovery and O’Farrell was convicted of attempted murder, even though he exhibited signs of mental instability. The Prince asked that clemency be shown to his assailant but the request was ignored.

Alfred sailed for England on 4 April and O’Farrell was hanged in Darlinghurst Gaol on 21 April 1868.

Legacy of the royal visit

Concern for the Prince after the shooting, and the relief felt when it was known he would survive, saw the public contributing large sums to funds established to build hospitals in his name.

The Alfred Hospital Melbourne opened in 1871 and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney opened in 1882. Schools, streets and parks were also named after the Prince.

Prince Alfred visited the Australian colonies again, although informally, in 1869 and 1870–71. He died in Germany in 1900.

Catholic–Protestant animosity continued in Australia for another century.

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Assassination attempt, Dictionary of Sydney

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Brian McKinlay, The First Royal Tour 1867–1868 , Rigby Ltd, Adelaide, 1970.

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What Melbourne looked like in the 1970s Through Fascinating Vintage Photos

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In the 1970s, Melbourne’s growth rate slowed as immigration declined and economic conditions worsened. Yet, several significant changes occurred during this slow period of population growth. Several old buildings were demolished and replaced by multistory office buildings and hotels, which transformed the look of the city’s inner core. A significant improvement was made to the arterial road system. Suburban areas became critical economic centers, reducing the importance of the city’s center for retail and industrial purposes. As a result of the completion of the Victorian Arts Centre, the city’s cultural life has been dramatically enhanced.

With the end of the White Australia Policy, Melbourne saw the first significant migration of Asians since the gold rush, with large numbers of people from Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. In Melbourne, the Muslim population grew rapidly, and multicultural policies encouraged many ethnic and religious minorities to maintain their identities. The practice of mainstream Christianity declined at the same time, leading to the secularization of public life.

Below are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1970s in Melbourne

#1 Hawthorn Road, Melbourne, 1971

Hawthorn Road, Melbourne, 1971

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What Melbourne looked like in the 1970s Through Fascinating Vintage Photos

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#2 Chapel Street bridge crossing the Yarra River, Melbourne, 1973

Chapel Street bridge crossing the Yarra River, Melbourne, 1973

#3 Melbourne tram, 1970

Melbourne tram, 1970

#4 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1970

Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1970

#5 Flinders Street station, Melbourne, 1970

Flinders Street station, Melbourne, 1970

#6 Melbourne dock, 1970

Melbourne dock, 1970

#7 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1971

Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1971

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St Kilda looking towards Balaclava Road. Luna Park would have been to the right of the photographer.

#8 Melbourne street scenes, 1971

Melbourne street scenes, 1971

#9 Vintage train at Spencer Street and viaduct, Melbourne, 1972

Vintage train at Spencer Street and viaduct, Melbourne, 1972

#10 William Street, Melbourne, 1972

William Street, Melbourne, 1972

#11 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1973

Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1973

#12 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1973

St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 1973

#13 Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1974

Bourke Street, Melbourne, 1974

#14 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 1974

Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 1974

#15 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977

Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977

#16 Intersection of Swanston and Bourke Streets, Melbourne, 1977

Intersection of Swanston and Bourke Streets, Melbourne, 1977

#17 Spencer Street, Melbourne, 1977

Spencer Street, Melbourne, 1977

#18 Z1 50 in Bourke Street at Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977

Z1 50 in Bourke Street at Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 1977

#19 Flinders Street from the corner of Swanston Street, Melbourne, 1978

Flinders Street from the corner of Swanston Street, Melbourne, 1978

#20 The soon-to-be demolished arcade running alongside the Regent Cinema between Collins Street and Flinders Lane in Melbourne on 26 January 1973.

The soon-to-be demolished arcade running alongside the Regent Cinema between Collins Street and Flinders Lane in Melbourne on 26 January 1973.

That arcade is still called Regent Place but it’s more or less just the driveway for the Westin Hotel. At least the Plaza got done up.

#21 Fletcher Jones Store. The world’s largest store specializing in men’s slacks is Fletcher Jones in Melbourne, 1975

Fletcher Jones Store. The world's largest store specializing in men's slacks is Fletcher Jones in Melbourne, 1975

#22 Elizabeth Street in Melbourne between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets with Myer emporium in the background and the Post Office Hotel in the foreground, 1970

Elizabeth Street in Melbourne between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets with Myer emporium in the background and the Post Office Hotel in the foreground, 1970

#23 Collins street, Melbourne, 1970s

Collins street, Melbourne, 1970s

#24 Government house in Melbourne, 1970s

Government house in Melbourne, 1970s

#25 City of Auckland Ship at Melbourne dock, 1970

City of Auckland Ship at Melbourne dock, 1970

#26 Luna Park, Melbourne, 1970

Luna Park, Melbourne, 1970

#27 Malvern East, line 3, Melbourne, 1973

Malvern East, line 3, Melbourne, 1973

Actually Carlisle St. Balaclava.

Balaclava Rd, St Kilda near Balaclava Station

#28 Malvern East, line 3, Melbourne, 1973

Malvern East, line 3, Melbourne, 1973

#29 Melbourne street scenes, 1974

Melbourne street scenes, 1974

#30 Melbourne street scene, 1975

Melbourne street scene, 1975

#31 Swanston and Collins Streets, Melbourne, 1978

Swanston and Collins Streets, Melbourne, 1978

#32 Flinders Street railway station, Melbourne, 1979

Flinders Street railway station, Melbourne, 1979

#33 Melbourne, 1979

Melbourne, 1979

#34 Along the East Brunswick tram route, circa 1970s

Along the East Brunswick tram route, circa 1970s

#35 Bourke Street, Melbourne, circa 1970s

Bourke Street, Melbourne, circa 1970s

#36 Interior view of a tramcar, Melbourne, circa 1970s

Interior view of a tramcar, Melbourne, circa 1970s

#37 Melbourne tram, circa 1970s

Melbourne tram, circa 1970s

#38 News reporters beside the no.50 tram, Melbourne, circa 1970s

News reporters beside the no.50 tram, Melbourne, circa 1970s

#39 Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

#40 Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

Waiting for public transport to arrive, Melbourne, circa 1970s

#41 Old Mint Macquarie Street, 1971

Old Mint Macquarie Street, 1971

#42 The rag trade area of Melbourne, 1972

The rag trade area of Melbourne, 1972

#43 Aerial view of Collins Street in Melbourne looking west from the City Square on, 1972

Aerial view of Collins Street in Melbourne looking west from the City Square on, 1972

#44 The corner of Collins and King Streets in Melbourne with the Co-operative Insura, 1973

The corner of Collins and King Streets in Melbourne with the Co-operative Insura, 1973

#45 Locomotive at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia, 1970.

Locomotive at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Australia, 1970.

#46 An avenue of the city of Melbourne, 1970

An avenue of the city of Melbourne, 1970

#47 The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

Wasn’t it raining heavily during the running of the 1976 Melbourne Cup, won by Van Der Hum?

#48 The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running, 1976

The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running, 1976

#49 The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

The Partially deserted scene on Broadway (Looking north) as the Melbourne Cup was running. November 02, 1976.

#50 P.M.U. Factory in Alice St., Newtown. The factory will close when the company moves its operations to Melbourne, 1976.

P.M.U. Factory in Alice St., Newtown. The factory will close when the company moves its operations to Melbourne, 1976.

#51 P.M.U. Factory in Alice St., Newtown, 1976

P.M.U. Factory in Alice St., Newtown, 1976

#52 Australian Demonstrators March Against Vietnam War in Melbourne, 1971

Australian Demonstrators March Against Vietnam War in Melbourne, 1971

#53 Collapsed span of the West Gate Bridge during construction of the cable-stayed bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia in October 1970.

Collapsed span of the West Gate Bridge during construction of the cable-stayed bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia in October 1970.

The collapse of the span on 15th October killed 35 construction workers to become Australia's worst industrial accident.

#54 Queen Elizabeth II on a walkabout in Melbourne with Ted Best (1917 – 1992), Lord Mayor of Melbourne, during her tour of Australia, 6th April 1970.

Queen Elizabeth II on a walkabout in Melbourne with Ted Best (1917 - 1992), Lord Mayor of Melbourne, during her tour of Australia, 6th April 1970.

#55 Z1 11 in Flinders Street, outside the station, Melbourne, 1978

Z1 11 in Flinders Street, outside the station, Melbourne, 1978

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

royal visit melbourne 1970

It’s McCEwans; that’s a blast from the past. Did Bunnings acquire them?

In 1993, yes. For a while, it was a Bunnings.

Isn’t that opposite Hardware St.?

Melbourne is the city I fell in love with. Travelling from the country to visit Melbourne was one of the highlights of my young life. There was something nostalgic about the sounds and sights.

© 2024 Bygonely

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royal visit melbourne 1970

Royal Visit 1970

Now showing: Australia - Postage stamps - 1970 - Royal Visit - 2 stamps.

31. March WM: None Design: N.P.B. - John Mason Perforation: 13 x 13½

[Royal Visit, type KH]

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