Dunlop's Weatherproofs
1960's
RW1574
After the Royal Visit
Royal Tour, 1954
This plaque, which was placed near the location of the dais in Baylis Street, can still be seen on the side of the Historic Council Chambers.
It says:
CITY OF WAGGA WAGGA
NEAR THIS SPOT
HER MAJESTY,
QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND
AND
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH,
WERE OFFICIALLY WELCOMED
TO
THIS CITY AND DISTRICT
ON SATURDAY, 13TH FEBRUARY, 1954.
FH BURNS WF DUNNE
TOWN CLERK MAYOR
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/690
The Axemen at Wagga Showground
Royal Tour, 1954
These axemen (or woodchoppers) put on a display of their prowess with an axe for Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Wagga Showground.
The next day, the newspapers reported that a stray wood chip had come flying towards the Queen as she watched the demonstration. She calmly deflected it with her umbrella.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
The Queen arrives in Wagga Wagga
Royal Tour, 1954
The Queen and Duke arrived at the Forest Hill airport a little after 1pm on a fairly hot day.in Wagga Wagga.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
This view of Baylis Street gives a great impression of just how grand an occasion the visit was. The huge crowds, the opulent dais, the welcoming arch, the buildings strewn with coloured bunting, and even the street lined with uniformed men, all combines to show just how impressive it must have seemed to everyone at the time, and goes a little way to explaining why it still ranks as a day to remember in Wagga's history.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
Those who had been chosen to be presented to Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were seated here on the northern side of the dais, facing Baylis Street. We can only guess at the identities of two of the people here - possibly a Catholic bishop (Bishop Henschke?) and a Catholic or Anglican minister...
The verandah visible behind the people was situated approximately where the front door to the Museum of the Riverina is today.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
This temporary seating was set up out the front of the Victory Memorial Gardens in Baylis Street. The dais, where Queen Elizabeth received Wagga's dignitaries, was positioned directly across the road in front of the Council Chambers.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
Those lucky enough to have grabbed a seat on this temporary stand in the Victory Memorial Gardens had a front seat to the action. The dais, where Queen Elizabeth received Wagga's dignitaries, was positioned directly across the road in front of the Council Chambers.
The photographers here didn't have the luxury of umbrellas to keep the sun off, even though they must have been worried about the effect of the midday February heat on their cameras.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
Hundreds of people waited patiently outside the Council Chambers and along the route of the Royal Progress to catch that one memorable glimpse of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The photographer is facing north, towards the Wollundry Lagoon Bridge, where the 2WG sign can be seen in the top left corner.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
Soldiers lined the route of the Royal Progress, along with the crowds. Sadly, they weren't allowed umbrellas to help keep the sun off in the unrelenting February heat!
This photograph was taken in Fitzmaurice Street near Fossey's; across the road is Queensland Insurance Co. Ltd, the Dragon Restaurant (Wagga's first Chinese restaurant), Edments, American Dry Cleaners and Laundry Co., and Trims Menswear.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
These people, waiting for the Queen and Duke to arrive, are on the corner of Baylis and Morrow Streets, Wagga Wagga. The Lyric Music House cantilever verandah was even used as a balcony by a few people, hoping to gain a vantage point.
Uknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
These people are ready and waiting for Queen and Duke to pass by, somewhere along the route of the Royal Progress through Wagga Wagga.
The lady on the left has her hand on her camera bag, ready to pull it out quickly; the boy next to her is waiting to unfurl his Australian flag; a little girl has her "Caltex Periscope" in hand and another lady is resting, what is possibly a portable food container (like an esky), on the arm of her neighbour's wheelchair.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
These cheerful people are lined up somewhere in Wagga Wagga on the route of the Royal Progress.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
Crowds lined the verandahs of Baylis and Fitzmaurice Streets, so as to gain a vantage point to see the Queen and Duke as they passed by.
And not to be outdone by those who managed to find a spot on the pub verandahs, some people climbed out of upper-floor windows and put chairs and picnic blankets on the cantilever verandahs of shops.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
These keen families grabbed prime position to see the Queen - across the road from the dais outside the Wagga Council Chambers.
The Queen and Duke were due to arrive at the Council Chambers at 1.24pm; when the photographer took this shot, it's still dark! They had a long wait ahead of them...
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
Waiting for the Queen
Royal Tour, 1954
This keen family grabbed prime position to see the Queen - across the road from the dais outside the Wagga Council Chambers.
The Queen and Duke were due to arrive at the Council Chambers at 1.24pm; when the photographer took this shot, it's still dark! They had a long wait ahead of them...
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/253
Wagga City Band
Royal Tour, 1954
The Wagga City Band is posing for the photographer on the dais outside the Wagga Council Chambers before or after the Queen's visit to the Riverina.
The Band played from the dais the night before the Queen's arrival for the crowds who had come to see the streets lit up with decorations and special illuminations.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/690
Welcome Arch, Baylis Street
Royal Tour, 1954
Wagga had a number of these arches set up along the planned route of the Royal Progress. This particular one was in Baylis Street outside Great Southern Motors, just before the Morrow Street corner.
The fact that it was designed to be lit up at night just demonstrates how enthusiastic the City was to have the Royal Visit - the Queen and Duke were never to see this arch at night!
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Baylis Street
Royal Tour, 1954
The shops and public buildings in Baylis and Fitzmaurice Streets were decked out with flags and bunting for the visit of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. Here you can see the Wagga City Council with the dais set up on the footpath, Great Southern Motors covered with bunting, and the Welcome Arch stretched across the street.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488
Royal Dais, Baylis Street
Royal Tour, 1954
This grand structure was situated on the north side of the Wagga Council Chambers, fronting Baylis Street and the Victory Memorial Gardens.
Unknown
13 February 1954
JPEG
CSURA RW1574/488