Farewell Queen Elizabeth

Vale Queen Elizabeth

Royal Visit to Australia by Queen Elizabeth in 2000

Photo copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2021

Freemasons in Australia joined many other citizens in

expressing their sorrow at the passing of Queen Elizabeth

II with memories of her visits to Australia and the bond that grew from that association.

The Grand Master, MW Bro Lesley Hicks was among many who put into writing these feelings and sent the following letter on behalf of the United Grand Lodge of NSW/ACT and its members.

To His Majesty

King Charles III

Buckingham Palace

LONDON SW1A 1AA

UNITED KINGDOM

Your Majesty,

We are all greatly saddened by the passing of our revered Sovereign, and your Mother. As we all mourn, we will cherish the memories and always reflect on a life of dignified service.

While many can claim to have met the Queen on both formal and more relaxing occasions, and enjoyed her company, and others have admired her amazing contribution, we have all been touched at some time by her considerable grace and unbridled commitment to us all.

The Queen offered us a life of dignified service, and this will surely stand as a lasting memory of hope. Her caring, her courage, her inspiration, and particularly her nurturing of our younger generation, will always be an example to all of us. Her selfless service and devotion to the Commonwealth, and our aspirations, will long live strong in our hearts.

We acknowledge the Queen’s extraordinary achievements over so many years through peace, war, natural disaster, friendship, and the celebration of family, with considerable respect, reverence and awe, and as Brothers committed to similar values of Humility, Kindness, Generosity, and Respect, we acknowledge her extraordinary commitment and contribution.

It would be appreciated if you could accept our deepest sympathies and pass similar sentiments to all in your Royal Family at this most sad and challenging time.

Yours faithfully,

Lesley N Hicks GRAND MASTER

Freemason also joins in extending sympathy and highlights some of the Queen’s career to its readers.

Freemasons around Australia were genuinely saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth and held appropriate silence as a sign of respect at their meetings.

The action followed a similar display last year following the passing of Prince Phillip. The Prince had joined Freemasonry in 1952 when he was initiated in the Navy Lodge and remained a member in England for the rest of his life.

Queen Elizabeth was the first reigning monarch to officially visit Australia and her arrival with Prince Phillip in 1954 captured the hearts of the nation and started an alliance involving 16 visits which lasted nearly 70 years.