Photo: Millie Pilkington
Junee residents have a strong affection towards the Australian Monarchy having hosted a number of events to commemorate the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
- Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II announced by the Junee RSL Sub-Branch
- Memorial Service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II — Prime 7 News Riverina Report
- Photo Gallery from the Memorial Service for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
- Unveiling of the Queen Elizabeth II Death Gun Salute Cartridge Case by the Junee RSL Sub-Branch
- An unveiling ceremony of the Queen Elizabeth II Death Gun Salute Cartridge Case
- Highlights from the Unveiling of the Queen Elizabeth II Death Gun Salute Cartridge Case
Now, a number of local community groups and schools gathered to formally receive the Offical Australian Portrait of our current Monarch, King Charles III, along with flags, that will be displayed in local community halls, meeting rooms and venues.
Under what is known as the “Constituents’ Request Program” (which is enabled via the Parliamentary Business Resources Regulations 2017, made under the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017) Federal Members of Parliament and Senators are able to obtain “flags and documents related to nationhood, of kinds approved by the Minister, for presentation to constituents or organisations” which includes printed copies of the Official Australian portrait of The King.
Upon the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Junee Community Network made enquiries to the office of our local Federal MP, Michael McCormack the Member for Riverina, when new Official Portraits of King Charles III would be available to replace the portraits of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that had hung in local community halls, meeting rooms and public venues for decades — expecting the new Monarch’s Portrait to be released either shortly after His Majesty’s Coronation, or just after the “Year of Official Mourning” had passed.
So, Junee Community Network called for Expressions of Interest from local not-for-profit community groups, sporting clubs, schools and other appropriate organisations to request the new Offical Portrait and other Nationhood Resources including the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags, booklets about Australian Flags and Australian Symbols.
When the Official Portrait of King Charles III was finally announced on July 15, 2024, approx 18 months after Her Majesty’s passing, Junee Community Network advised local organisations about their availability. Working with Michael McCormack’s office, September 2, 2024, the day prior to Australian National Flag Day was selected as an appropriate date to present the Portrait and The Australian Flags to local community organisations.
The presentation ceremony was held at the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club.
Gallery
Highlights from Presentation of Sovereign’s Portrait and Flags Event
Media Coverage of Event, by Prime 7 News Riverina
Emily Frances, from Prime 7 News Riverina, reported from the Presentation of Sovereign’s Portrait and Flags Event.
Media Coverage of Event, by Junee Independent
Jack Murray, from the Junee Independent Newspaper, also attended the Presentation of Sovereign’s Portrait and Flags Event and wrote a two page story on the proceedings… the first was the front cover and then the second half of the article, along with additional photographs, was on page 5.
Media Release from Michael McCormack
The following media release covering the Sovereign’s Portrait and Flags Presentation was published by Michael McCormack…
CELEBRATING NATIONAL PRIDE AHEAD OF NATIONAL FLAG DAY
2 September 2024
The Junee community may be the most patriotic in Australia – that’s according to Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.
Mr McCormack presented the Australian flag and other nationhood material to 18 Junee Shire community groups at a ceremony held on Monday 2 September organised with the Junee Community Network.
“The presentation coincides with Australian National Flag Day, which is held on 3 September every year,” Mr McCormack said.
“My office had received a significant number of requests from Junee community groups for nationhood material so it was a logical step that a special presentation ceremony was organised.
“I am proud to represent a community which takes such pride in our Australian National Flag.”
The ceremony also included presenting community groups with the portrait of His Majesty, King Charles III, which have only recently become available.
“My office has had a significant number of requests for portrait of the King,” Mr McCormack said.
“I am delighted these have now been made available for my office to distribute to those who request one.”
Australian National Flag Day was established on 3 September 1996 to celebrate the first time that the flag was flown in 1901. Then Prime Minister Edmund Barton announced the winners of a national flag design competition on this day.
The winning flag, which was known as the Commonwealth blue ensign, was flown over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne, which was then home to our national parliament.
“Our national flag has been with us in war and in peace, in good times and during the tough challenges that our nation has faced which have all contributed to forge the beautiful and resilient country I am proud to call home,” Mr McCormack said.
All Australians are encouraged to fly or display the Australian National Flag to celebrate Australian National Flag Day on 3 September each year.
Requesting Sovereign’s Official Portrait, Flags and Nationhood Resources
If you are located within Junee Shire, you can request the official photo of King Charles III and the other Nationhood items by contacting the Wagga Wagga Electorate Office for the Member for Riverina, The Hon. Michael McCormack MP.
contact The Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Member for Riverina »
If you are from any other location outside of Junee Shire, or the Electoral Division of Riverina, please contact your local Federal Member of Parliament, or Senator.
If you are located within Junee Shire, eligible organisations can request a State Flag of New South Wales, by contacting the Junee Electorate Office for the Member of Cootamundra, The Hon. Steph Cooke MP, using the State Flag Requests page.
request NSW Flag via The Hon. Steph Cooke MP, Member for Cootamundra »
If you are from any other location outside of Junee Shire, or the Electoral Division of Cootamundra, please contact your local State Member of Parliament.