Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, has paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II following news of her death on September 8.
“We were all sad this morning when we awoke to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth 11 – an amazing lady – after 70 years of dedicated commitment to the Commonwealth and our nation,” he said.
“Most of us have only ever known one Queen and so, for a lot of us, it’s a very confronting moment.
“She was 96 so we all knew this day would come but most of us thought it would never actually happen.
“It’s a very sombre time for many of us.
“I am a staunch monarchist and I still vividly recall when she came to Adelaide when I was a young child and the passion, enthusiasm and excitement (held) for this lady.”
Crouch said Queen Elizabeth was the first reigning monarch to come to Australia.
“She opened the Sydney Opera House; she opened NSW Parliament,” he said.
“It is an incredible legacy she leaves behind.
“We have been so lucky to have been part of some of her 70 years of service – the longest reigning British monarch – it was amazing.
“Now we have to get used to saying God save the King.”
Crouch acknowledged the Queen’s “incredible passion and commitment” and said she would be remembered for her humanity, humility, good-heartedness, good nature and good humour.
“I heard recently that she was back riding a horse at the age of 96 which is a true testament to an incredible monarch,” he said.
Crouch said there were protocols in place for the NSW Parliament to mark the Queen’s passing, as there are in Federal Parliament.
“We will have updated information on that in the coming days from the clerk and also from the Whip’s office,” he said.
“There will obviously be a condolence motion, as there was for Prince Phillip; it will be a very poignant moment.
“I think a lot of us realised with the loss of her partner that things changed for her.
“We remember her sitting by herself in the chapel at Windsor in winter during COVID mourning his loss.
“Now the nation and the world mourns the loss of the Queen.”
CCN