When did you see the Queen?

THE Queen is dead, long live the King!

Flags have been flown at half mast across the region as we remember the long life of Queen Elizabeth II, with many taking the opportunity to recall when they saw the Queen.

For some, it was way back in 1954, when school groups travelled across to Warragul and Traralgon for Her Majesty’s official visit to Gippsland.

Inverloch resident George Missen has provided a photo of commemorative flags issued by the Shire of Woorayl at the time.

“On Wednesday March 3, 1954 I travelled across with the Leongatha Primary School (6 1/2 years old) to Latrobe Valley, then Swanson Street, Melbourne with my parents. Both occasions still as clear as ever. These flags have survived 68 and 1/2 years of storage and moving houses! We will never see such an amazing monarch ever again!” he said.

Others remember the Queen’s 1954 Gippsland visit:

• Marie Fowkes: We were school kids, we went by train to Traralgon waving flags as she went past in her Royal Car. I am now 79 and remember it well (Mirboo North).

• Jean Axford: I remember going from Leongatha in 1954 to Warragul I am also 79 now and the Queen’s train was in Leongatha.

• Gwen Wiggins: San Remo State School went to Warragul by bus, the wait on the oval seemed to take forever.

• Bazza Elaine: Yes, I was 3 when I went with my parents to see the Queen in Traralgon. Unfortunately, too young to remember (Koorooman East).

• Marion Munro: I remember Corinella School going by train from Lang Lang to Warragul I think.