The City of Kwinana and the Kwinana Council extend their deepest sympathies to the Royal Family as they grieve the loss of the Queen and a treasured and much-loved family member.
Mayor Carol Adams said she was very sad to hear the passing of Queen Elizabeth II who she described as an incredible Monarch and strong woman who provided hope and inspiration during her historic reign.
“I was fortunate to have been invited to a special State Reception in the grounds of Government House in 2011 held in honour of the visiting Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh and reflect on what a special privilege it was to be invited at that event,” Mayor Adams said.
“Her Majesty put service before self over her historic 70-year reign.
“The late Queen and Prince Philip first toured Australia in 1954 at a time when there was a polio epidemic in Western Australia so the Queen was kept away from crowds as much as possible.
“However, both participated in a fly-over of the industrial area to view the new Kwinana BP Refinery.
“Refinery workers painted the tops of a group of 40-gallon drums and arranged them to read ‘Welcome Liz’.
"Prince Philip also attended an unscheduled tour of the BP Refinery earlier that day according to former Councillor Leonard ‘Chips’ Chipperton’s oral history
“During the tour he passed a hard hat diver having a break, with the diver calling out ‘Hey Philip! You don’t know your mates now?’.
“He responded ‘My God! Busty!’ and it turned out the two men had once been part of an underwater team surveying the River Thames.
“According to Chips, the Queen recalled the sign on the drums at the refinery when they met some years later at a Garden Party.”
“Flooring within the hall in Medina also came from a Royal Ball at UWA attended by the Queen in 1954.”
“The City of Kwinana acknowledges there are many residents living here who share a close connection to the Monarchy and the flags outside the City Administration Building will be flown at half-mast until further notice, as the Commonwealth mourns the Queens’ passing.
“May she rest in peace.”
People can visit the City of Kwinana Administration Building to sign a condolence book from Monday, or leave a condolence message online at https://www.pmc.gov.au/her-majesty-the-queen
Condolence messages will be collated and sent to Buckingham Palace. The messages will also be archived by the Commonwealth and may be displayed at its national institutions such as the National Library of Australia.