Jj) STRALIA jR YZ. 113Nf
PRIME MINISTER
FOR ? RESS 23 FEBRUARY 1977
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER TO PARLIAMENT ON THE QUEEN'S
SILVER JUBILEE YEAR.
I WISH TO REPORT TO THIS HOUSE ON THE FORTHCOMING VISIT TO AUSTRALIA
OF HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN OF-AUSTRALIA, AND OUR PLANS ro COMMEMORATE
HER MAJESTY'S SILVER JUBILEE.
THE QUEEN WILL ARRIVE IN CANBERRA ON 7 MARCH, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
ROYA-L HIGHNESS, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, AND WILL SPEND THREE WEEKS
IN AUSTRALIA.
PARLIAMENT IS TO BE PROROGUED AND THE QUEEN WILL OPEN A NEW SESSION
OF PARLIAMENT ON TUESDAY, 8 MARCH. SHE WILL THEN VISIT ALL STATES
AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.
MR SPEAKER, WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT THE QUEEN HAS CHOSEN TO VISIT
AUSTRALIA AS ONE OF THE FIRST EVENTS OF HER JUBILEE YEAR. I KNOW
THAT SHE AND PRINCE PHILIP WILL RECEIVE THE WARMEST WELCOME FROM
ALL AUSTRALIANS. THERE EXISTS A SPECIAL AFFECTION AND DEEP RESPECT
ON THE PART OF AUSTRALIANS FOR THE QUEEN, WHICH . WILL BE FURTHER
STRENGTHENED BY HER MAJESTY'S VISIT HERE NEXT MONTH.
I KNOW THAT GREAT NUMBERS OF AUSTRALIANS WILL WISH TO SEE THE QUEEN
IN PERSON WHILE SHE IS HERE. WHEREVER POSSIBLE, ARRANGEMENTS WILL
BE LMADE TO ENS T3P TWAT COMMONWALTH GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ARE AFFORDED
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HER MAJESTY. THE GOVERNMENT URGES ALL STATES,
PRIVATE INDUSTRY, OTHER EMPLOYERS, AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO
TAKE SIMILAR ACTION SO THAT NO AUSTRALIA IS DENIED THE: OPPORTUNITY
TO SEE HER MAJESTY AT SOME POINT DURING HER TOUR.
IN ADDITION TO THE FORMIAL OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, HER LAJESTY'S
RG! E AS QUEEN OF AUSTRALIA WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER
HER ARRIVAL ON 7 MARCH. AT A LUNCHEON AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, THE
GOVERNOR GENERAL, AS CHANCELLOR OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA, WILL
PRESENT TO HER MAJESTY HER BADGE AS SOVEREIGN OF THE ORDER.
THE BADGE HAS BEEN MADE BY A SKILLED AUSTRALIAN CRAFTSMAN,
STUART DEVLIN WHO HAS DESIGNED ALL THE INSIGNIA FOR THE ORDER
OF AUSTRALIA.
GOLD A'ND SET WITH YELLOW DIAMONDS.
ON 9 MARCH, AN INVESTITURE WILL BE HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT
WHICH HER MAJESTY WILL PRESENT THE FIRST AWARDS IN THE ORDER OF
AUSTRALIA. SHE WILL ALSO CONFER A NUMBER OF KNIGHTHOODS AND
WILL MAKE THE FIRST PRESENTATION OF AUSTRALIAN BRAVERY DECORATIONS,
INCLUDING TWO POSTHUMOUS AWARDS.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO MAKE A PERSONAL GIFT TO HER MAJESTY
AS A SYMBOL OF THE RESPECT AND AFFECTION FELT FOR HER BY ALL
AUSTRALIANS.. KNOWING HER LONG AND ACTIVE INTEREST IN THOROUGHBRED RACING
AN INTEREST WHICH IS SHARED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF AUSTRALIANSW'E
FELT THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE IF WE PRESENTED HER MAJESTY
WITH AN AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED.
ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING CONCLUDED WITH THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BREEDERAND
TRAINER, MR COLIN HAYES OF LINDSAY PARK STUD, FOR A NUMBER
OF FOALS TO BE BRED TO THE EUROPEAN RACING CALENDAR FROM THE
WELL KNOWN SIRE " WITHOUT FEAR". THE MARES CONCERNED INCLUDE
" HIGH DESIRE" ' I" P EARL OF ALBION", "' PORTAL", " DEFIANT" AND " ROSE
OF KEINPTON". THE BEST FOAL WILL BE SELECTE ' D AND TRAINED AND
THEN. SENT'TO ENGLAND FOR PRESENTATION TO THE QUEEN ON BEHALF
OF THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA.
THIS IS A LONG TERM PROJECT. I AM SURE THAT ALL'-AUSTRALIANS WILL
TAKE A KEEN INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOALS, AND IN
THE SUCCESS OF THE SELECTED FOAL WHEN IT CARRIES THE QUEEN'S
COLOURS IN EUROPEr.
AUSTRALIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMEMORATION OF THE SILVER JUBILEE
WILL NOT END WITH THE DEPARTURE OF THE QUEEN FROM AUSTRALIA ON
MARCH.
AS ANNOUNCED ' ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL ON 16 NOVEMBER LAST,
THE QUEEN HAS APPROVED THE INSTITUTION OF A MEDAL TO BE KNOWN AS
" THE QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE MEDAL" TO COMMEMORATE THE TWENTY FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY OF HER ACCESSION TO THE THRONE.
THE MEDAL WILL BE STRUCK FOR ISSUE AS A PERSONAL AWARD FROM THE
QUEEN TO PEOPLE FRO-* ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED
KINGDOM AND OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES WHO HAVE RENDERED SERVICE
TO THE CROWN OR TO THE COMMUNITY. 3/
THE COMMONWEALTH AND STATE GOVERNMENTS HAVE AGREED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE AWARDS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE AUSTRALIAN LIST OF
RECIPIENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN THE. NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THE MEDALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN JUNE.
OTHER COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS WILL INCLUDE THE ISSUE OF A SPECIAL 50 CENT
COIN AS ANNOUNCED BY THE TREASURER ON 1ST NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, AND
TWO SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE
ON 2 FEBRUARY.
A MAJOR EVENT OF THE SILVER JUBILEE COMMEMORATION IN BRITAIN
WILL BE THE SPECIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL
IN LONDON ON 7 JUNE. AUSTRALIA WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE
SERVICE AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL FACILITATE THE ATTENDANCE OF
THOSE AUSTRALIANS INVITED TO THE SERVICE.
EACH ARM OF AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE SERVICES WILL SEND REPRESENTATIVES
TO THE UNITED KINGDOM TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS EVENTS THERE DURING
THE YEAR.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THREE AUSTRALIAN SHIPS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER,
H. M. A. S. MELBOURNE, THE MISSILE DESTROYER, H. M. A. S. BRISBANE, AND
AN OBERON CLASS SUBMARINE ATTEND THE NAVAL REVIEW AT SPITHEAD,
PORTSMOUTH ON 28 JUNE. THE ARMY BAND WILL FLY TO LONDON IN JULY
IN A RAAF C. 130 HERCULES TO TAKE PART IN THE ROYAL TOURNAMENT AT
EARLS COURT. THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE WILL SEND TWO AIRCRAFT
AN F. 111. C SUPPORTED BY A C. 130 HERCULES TO THE RAF REVIEW ON
29 JULY AT FINNINGLEY, SOUTH YORKSHIRE.
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THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THE CHURCHES IN AUSTRA. LIA WOULD
WISH TO MARK THE COMM4EMORATION OF THE JUBILEE. CHURCH
LEADERS HAVE BEEN APPROACHED INVITING THEM TO GIVE CONSIDERATION
TO THE HOLDING OF APPROPRIATE SERVICES.
I AM SURE THAT AUSTRALIANS OF ALL FAITHS WILL APPRECIATE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN DENOMINATIONAL OR ECUMENICAL
SERVICES TO MARK THIS SPECIAL OCCASION.
HONOURABLE MEMB~ ERS WILL KNOW THAT All APPEAL HAS BEEN LAUNCHED
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TH'_ QU-EEN'S SILVER JUBILEE APPEAL
TO COMM4EMORATE HER MAJESTY'S JUBILEE. THE UNITED KINGDOM
APPEAL WHICH IS LED BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE CHARLES , IS
BY THE QUEEN'S WISH, DEDICATED TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT AN APPEAL
IN AUSTRALIA WITH THE BENEFICIARIES TO BE THE YOUNGER
GENERATION OF AUSTRALIANS.
I. AM HONOURED TO ANNOUNCE THAT HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE
CHARLES HAS CONSENTED-TO BE ROYAL PATRON OF THE AUSTRALIAN
APPEAL. THEIR EXCELLENCIES, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND THE
GOVERNORS OF THE STATES, WILL BE VICE PATRONS OF THE APPEAL..
THE AUSTRALIAN APPEAL ALSO TO BE KNOWN AS THE " QUEEN'S SILVER
JUBILEE APPEAL "-WILL HAVE AS ITS TARGET THE RAISING OF
$ 5,000,000 OF WHICH THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT WILL CONTRIBUTE
$ 2 ,000 ,000.
I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE STATE PREMIERS INVITING THEIR CO-OPERATION
AND SUGGESTING THAT THEY ASSOCIATE THEIR STATES WITH THE APPEAL.
THE PUBLIC WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO SUBSCRIBE. ALL DONATIONS
TO THE QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE APPEAL WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
THE TOTAL PROCEEDS OF THE APPEAL WILL BE USED TO ESTABLISH A
TRUST WHICH W4ILL BE A REGISTERED CHARITY.
THE TRUST WILL BE STYLED " THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SILVER JUBILEE
TRUST" AND ITS INCOME WILL BE APPLIED, IN PART, TO FOSTER
INVOLVEMENT IN AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY BY YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE TRUST WILL ALSO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES, PARTICUIRLY
14HERE THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE EXIST, FOR TALENTEND YOUNG
AUSTRALIANS TO FURTHER-THEIR CAREERS BY ADDITIONAl, STUDY
AND TRAINING, IF NECESSARY OVERSEAS.
TILE EMiPHASIS WILL BE ON ADVANCING LEVELS OF EXCELLENCE I N THE
BROADEST SENSE AND DEVELOPING A SENSE OF PURPOSE AMONG
INDIVIDUALS. YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP
QUALITIES OF INITIATIVE AND LEADERSHIP AND TO SERVE THE
COMMUNITY FURTHER THROUGH VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANISATIONS
PRIMARILY, ASSISTANCE WILL BE GIVEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING IN
THE: SERVICE OF THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE TRADE AND TECHNICAL
FIELDS FOR EXAMPLE, YOUNG APPRENTICES, CRAFTSMEN AND TRAINEE
NURSES. GRANTS WILL NOT NORMALLY BE AVAILABLE FOR FURTHERING
UNIVERSITY OR POST-GRADUATE EDUCAION' AS THE GOVERNMENT
BELIEVES ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS ALREADY EXIST TO CATER FOR
SUCH MATTERS.
THE TRUST WILL GIVE CONSIDERATION TO GIVING FINANCIAL SUPPORT
TO ANY PRoPOSAT. PUT FORWARD BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO INVOLVE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE LIFE AND
WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY.
TIE TRUST WILL BE RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY VIEWS, PARTICULARLY
THOSE OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN DECIDING HOW TO CARRY OUT
ITS OBJECTIVES.
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THE APPEAL WILL BE CONDUCTED BY A NATIONAL COMMITTEE ASSISTED BY,
STATE COMITTEES. A MOST DISTINGUISHED AUSTRALIAN, SIR IAN
McLENNAN, KNOWN THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA AS AN OUTSTANDING
INDUSTRIALIST AND PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZEN, HAS AGREED TO ACT
AS HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL APPEAL COMMITTEE.
CHAIRMEN OF STATE AND TERRITORIES COMMITTEES ARE IN THE PROCESS
OF BEING APPOINTED AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF THEIR APPOINTMENT
WILL BE MADE SHORTLY.
I COMMEND THIS APPEAL TO ALL AUSTRALIANS AS ONE THAT IS A
MOST WORTHY TRIBUTE TO OUR QUEEN AND A CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM
TO HELP YOUNG AUSTRALIANS.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSIDERED A NUMBER OFPROPOSALS FOR
SPECIAL EVENTS TO COMEMORATE THE SILVER JUBILEE. TO PLAN,
ARRANGE, AND CO-ORDINATE THESE EVENTS WE ARE ESTABLISHING A
SILVER JUBILEE CONMEMORATIVE ORGANISATION.
I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE, THAT WE HAVE SECURED THE AGREEMENT
OF MR. HARRY M. MILLER TO SERVE IN AN HONORARY CAPACITY
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISATION. MR. MILLER IS
ADMIRABLY SUITED TO THIS TASK BEING A LEADING THEATRICAL
PRODUCER AND AN OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY IN AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS
AND CULTURAL LIFE. HE HAS GENEROUSLY PLACED HIS
TALENTS AT THE SERVICE OF THIS AND PRECEDING GOVERNMENTS.
MR. MILLER WTIL! BF A-SSISTFD BY A SMALL TEAM OF SKILLED
PERSONNNEL TO HELP TO PLAN AND ARRANGE THE SELECTED ACTIVITIES.
MR. SPEAKER, IT IS THE 0VERjENT'S EARNEST DESIRE THAT HER
MAJESTY'S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND THE SILVER JUBILEE YEAR
COMMEMORATION BE A HAPPY AND MEMORABLE ONE FOR THE QUEEN AND
FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS. W4E ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALI,
WILL ENSURE, BY THE WARMTH OF THEIR WELCOME TO OUR QUEEN, THAT
HER VISIT TO AUSTRALIA WILL BE A HIGHLIGHT OF HER SILVER
JUBILEE. .000...
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