Introduction

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London.

The Coronation was celebrated throughout the Commonwealth, and the residents of the Port Stephens region enthusiastically participated in the celebratory activities.

On Coronation Day, many Port Stephens residents journeyed to Newcastle to join in the festivities there, while others participated in a range of local events.

Using the resources of the Australian National Library’s Trove  newspaper collection, this paper examines various local coronation celebrations in the Port Stephens region.

Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day

Avenue of Trees

The Dungog Chronicle of 16 May 1953, page 8, reported:

‘The Port Stephens Shire Council has decided to have an avenue of trees from the Hexham bridge to where the new road meets the old highway. This was decided by council as a ‘Coronation’ effort. The avenue will be about 1½ miles long and a variety of suitable trees will be planted.’

Bonfire to be lit by Scouts at Tomaree Point, Port Stephens

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 27 May 1953, page 12, reported:

‘Scouts throughout the Empire will celebrate the Coronation with bonfires, fireworks and camp-fire concerts on Tuesday. Fires in the Newcastle area will be lit at 7.45 and a rocket will be fired from each site. After the fire ceremony, Scouts will repeat a Declaration of Loyalty and a special Scout Prayer.

Scouts will attend the Coronation Service in Christ Church Cathedral [Newcastle] and, at 12.15 p.m., march to Newcastle City Hall where the salute will be taken. Proceeds of the sale of Coronation Souvenir programmes will, by the wish of the Queen, be devoted to the King George V Memorial. A dedication service of Scouts will be held in the City Hall on Sunday, June 21. It will be patterned on the service to be held in Westminster Abbey and at other Empire centres.

Bonfires will be lit at many prominent landmarks. These include Mount View, Kurri Kurri, Mt. Sugarloaf, Shepherd’s Hill, Tomaree Point [near Nelson Bay], Stockton Beach, Nobbys Beach, Little Redhead, Dudley, Redhead, Reid’s Mistake (Swansea), Fraser Park, Crackneck, The Skillion, Box Head, Lion Island, Abattoir Hill, Braye Park (Waratah), Merewether, Glebe Water Tank, Highfields, New Lambton Heights Lookout, Kotara Heights.’

Photo Collage of Newcastle’s celebration of Coronation Day

The Newcastle Sun of 2 June 1953, page 5, published the following picture collage of the coronation events held at Newcastle:

[Images from left to right]

(1) The crowded interior of the Christ Church Cathedral, dressed in banners and heraldic shields, (2) Some of the crowd of 2000 who were unable to gain admittance to the church, (3) The Bishop of Newcastle (Right Rev, F. de Witt Batty) taking part in the Procession of Entrance, (4) Some of the Cathedral choir boys, (5) Another shot of the procession, showing Brigadier J. W, Main, the Lord Mayor (Aid. Purdue) and Town Clerk (Mr, Burges), (6 and 7) The Colour Parties provided by the Northern Rivers Lancers and the City of Newcastle Regiment, (8) The Stockton Kilties on the march. (9), Newcastle Cubs taking part in the city parade.

[Newcastle Sun, 2 June 1953]

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 3 June 1953, page 5, published the following photo collage of the coronation events held at Newcastle:

[Images from left to right]

(1) At the service at Newcastle Cathedral, the Sceptre, Royal Standard and Crown are carried in procession, (2) The Bishop of Newcastle (Right Rev. F. de Witt Batty), after the final prayer for Queen Elizabeth, extends the final blessing, (3) Scout cubs march in the Coronation Day procession to Civic Park, (4) St. John Ambulance Brigade girls march in the procession, (5) The large congregation at tile Cathedral stands while tile Coronation procession enters, (6) Troops in the Coronation Day procession to Civic Park, (7) The Lord Mayor (Aid. Purdue) takes the salute at the City Hall steps, (8) This small boy delighted the crowd at Civic Park by obeying all orders to troops. He is seen saluting while the troops present arms, (9) Troops at Civic Park give three cheers for tile Queen

[Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 3 June 1953]

Coronation celebrated at Raymond Terrace

The Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser of 4 June 1953, page 1, reported:

‘The attendance at the religious service on the Sports ground was attended by between 500 and 600 persons and in the afternoon, there was an attendance of upwards of 1000 persons. At night there was also big attendances at the bonfire on Boomerang. Park, arranged by the Scouts and Cubs, and at the bonfire on Windeyer Estate, which was arranged by Courtaulds employees. These marked in good old time-honoured manner the celebration and were a method of impressing on the younger mind the importance of the event.

Both bonfires went well and marked the loyalty and enthusiasm of the public. In the case of Courtaulds this was particularly so, for the new arrivals from England are loyal and enthusiastic in their support of the best of that spirit which has kept the Empire together, and the Australian, welcome and honours them all the more for the continuation of that same patriotic pride that early emigrants brought with them in the early colonial days of Australia.  …..

The service on the Sports Ground was well arranged by the Revs. Hanington, (C. of E.) and Pickering (Methodist). The service was supported in its reverent and loyal effect by the members of the Raymond Terrace Male Choir which is composed mainly of the vocal talent of the employees of Courtaulds. They rendered “Land of Hope and Glory” in a manner that was a decided acquisition to any function. The solo part in this item was taken by Miss Margaret Russell and she too was in fine voice. A solo “Rose of England was given by Mr. Naylor, and he too was in fine voice. The Rev. D. E. Pickering occupied the chair and the service opened with “God Save the Queen” by the choir and Congregation. Prayers of thanksgiving were offered on the announcement of the Revd. chairman, who then announced the hymn “All People that on Earth Do Dwell.” This was followed by an appropriate scripture reading by Mr. Pickering.

Prayers for Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh and the Royal family were offered, followed by a prayer for the British Commonwealth. Hymns were sung, and the Rev. Hanington delivered the address. ….. Miss P. Finlay and Mrs. Andrews acted as accompanists for the service and Mr. Jones was tha conductor of the choir. The service was attended by Cr. L. G. Randall, President of the Port Stephens Shire in his official capacity.

At 2 p.m. on the Showground the combined children from Raymond Terrace Central, Raymond Terrace St. Brigid’s, Medowie, Wallalong, Soldiers’ Point, St. Brigid’s, Miller’s Forest and Tomago Schools gave a combined demonstration of folk dances, and other such work. The demonstration finished with a group display in the form of a crown. The children in the various parts of the town were robed in coloured capes, and when the children knelt down in the final scene and revealed the colours was most striking.’

Coronation Ball held at Tea Gardens

The Dungog Chronicle of 6 June 1953, page 6, reported:

‘Coronation week started off with a fancy dress ball in Australia Hall on Monday night, the hall being beautifully decorated for the occasion. Costumes of all descriptions were worn. To pick the best or funniest would have been work for a High Court judge. Ossie Robert’s orchestra gave the music required. Although the crowd was larger than expected there was full and plenty at the supper tables. £85 were approximate takings at the door. Dancing continued until 2 a.m. Tuesday saw a morning of sport at the park for children which was followed by Divine Service.

In the afternoon a big crowd of people joined in various forms of sport on the ground, followed at night by a huge bonfire with a display of fireworks. Most people then returned home to listen to the service of the crowning of our Queen.’

Further information on the history of the Australia Hall -Tea Gardens is available at this link on the website.

Coronation celebration held by the Country Women’s Association at Nelson Bay

The Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser of 11 June 1953, page 1, reported:

‘Over one hundred guests were entertained at C. W. A. rooms, Nelson Bay, on Tuesday 2nd June, 1953, in honour of the coronation of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II.

The afternoon began with an opening address by the President, Mrs. C. W. Dart, who then introduced Mr. Edwards, manager of Cortaulds Aust. Ltd., who had kindly consented to be guest speaker and who chose for his subject “Great Britain”, which is the country set down for study by the C. W. A. this year. The speaker was most interesting, both in detail and knowledge of his subject and also in the very friendly and informal manner of presentation.

In moving a formal vote of thanks to the speaker, Mrs. L. Randall, (Secretary) remarked how fortunate we were to have had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Edwards’ address. She also expressed the regret of all present that he could not continue at greater length on such an enlightening talk. During the afternoon, Mrs. D. Kelly was called on to cut a most elaborate cake, she had made and presented to the association. The cake took the form of a cushion holding a crown, which was a replica of the crown of King Edward. Mrs. Kelly was later presented with a case of coronation spoons in recognition of her very valued and faithful service to the C. W. A.

Mrs. R. Russom presented a most enjoyable musical programme, and items were rendered very ably by Mrs. Harding (soprano); Mr. Colline (tenor), and Mrs. Simpson, (pianoforte and accompaniste). After proposing a vote of thanks to Mrs. Russom and the visiting artists, Mrs. Kelly presented each of them with a suitable souvenir of the occasion. An attractive and dainty afternoon tea was served by the hostesses for day— Mrs. C. Daly, Mrs. A. Mitchell, Mrs. S. Alexander, Mrs. A. Diemar, Mrs. G. Johnson and Mrs. M. Blanch.’

Further information concerning the history of the Country Women’s Association – Tea Gardens is found a this link on the website/

Coronation Week at Medowie Public School

The Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser of 11 June 1953, page 1, reported:

‘Coronation week was appropriately celebrated and well supported by the school and parents of Medowie. After listening to the message of His Excellency the Governor of N.S.W. on the school radio, the pupils received a memento, a gift from the Australian Commonwealth Government on the occasion of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

On Tuesday, 2nd June, most of the school pupils, some ex-pupils and friends travelled by special bus to unite with the Port Stephens Shire Coronation Celebrations at Raymond Terrace. Attendance at a combined religious service was followed by a family picnic lunch. Two folk-dancing groups joined with other schools from the Shire in the dancing display. In the Crown tableau, Medowie pupils filled the Orb. The uniformity of pupils’ dress for folk dances and tableau reflects thoughtful and spontaneous response of parents. In spite of no prior combined practice for the occasion the pupils acquitted themselves well.

On Thursday evening 4th June, the Medowie Hall was the venue for the school’s ‘Coronation Masque’ supported by vocal, choral, verse speaking and dramatisation items. The stage setting of the Rose Queen’s bower was tastefully decorated and set up by some members of the Parents and Citizens’ Association. …. The Progress Association donated the hall for the occasion. The Coronation Magnolia Tree was planted at a ceremony at the school on Thursday.’

Coronation Film screened at Karuah

The Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser of 6 August 1953, page 4, reported:

‘The first full-length Technicolour film of a Coronation ever to be made, ‘A Queen is Crowned’ is the result of months of preparation. This film is screening at the Central Theatre Raymond Terrace on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights of next On Wednesday night its screening at the Nestor Theatre, Karuah.

For nearly a year before the actual Coronation date, producer Castleton Knight was building his plans for this unique production. All Technicolour’s tremendous facilities in Britain were secured to work at full speed as soon as the historic shots were unloaded from the cameras. These shots were taken by an expert corps of cameramen stationed along the route of the pro-cession — and in the Abbey itself.’

Poster advertising the film “Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II”

Concluding Comments

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1952 was a significant event in our history. It was embraced enthusiastically by the people of Australia and indeed the Port Stephens region who were loyal subjects.

The formation of the Australian Republican Movement in 1991 signalled a shift in the strength of Australia’s ties with the United Kingdom which has been manifested in various ways since that time.

The recent visit to our shores by King Charles III and Queen Camilla reflects how times have changed since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne. But there is still much respect for the Royals as evident in the popularity of their visit to Sydney and Canberra in October 2024 where they were enthusiastically welcomed.

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

October 2024