Do you have a better photo of the QEII Coronation Celebrations held in Gunning, 1953?

We are looking for a better photo of the Coronation celebrations held in Gunning in 1953.

Does anyone have a better photograph of the Gunning celebrations? Please let us know!

Elizabeth became Queen immediately on the death of her father in 1952. You may have noticed the reports of her 65 year reign earlier this year, with no spectacular recognition (other than gun salutes). The Coronation was deferred for more than a year, until the Queen’s mourning was over in June 1953.  It was a huge event in Gunning.

Bill Weatherstone writes:

My family was living at Toldale, where our father was the station manager for Bill Southwell, from the late 1940s until the mid 1950s. Mum and Dad were great friends of Dr Bill Barbour and his wife Win. They often played tennis with them on their court in Bialla Street.  (My brother and I were both born in a private hospital in the same street, however that was when we lived at Cullerin, prior to coming to the Gunning district.)

We took part in a town parade, where on the back of a truck Mum dressed up as an old woman and we were part of a host of other "family" members.  This a photo my sister Elizabeth (Ainsworth) has of the parade.  The other photo we recall is better, a shot of the float itself on the back of the truck. We are still unable to locate it, but would love to see it again if anyone has a copy.

And this is how the local paper reported the big occasion:

Two Thousand Enjoyed The Gunning Celebrations

(from National Library’s Trove: Goulburn Evening Post, Monday 8 June, 1953)

A large crowd, estimated at over 2000 people had a most enjoyable day at the Gunning Coronation celebrations on Tuesday. After an early morning special church service, a large procession comprising 28 floats, bicycles, cars and numerous other attractions, moved off from the assembly point.  The procession passed through the main streets which were festooned with flags and bunting.

Finishing at the park, it moved round the oval and was viewed by a huge gathering of people. The panel of judges, appointed•to select winning displays, comprised Miss Plews, Dr. Barbour, and Mr. Shaw. Everybody seemed embraced with the spirit of the occasion

and the celebrations will live long in the memory of Gunning people.

Old residents of the district say it was the best celebration that Gunning has ever seen. The 28 floats in the procession were of a very high standard and would have done credit to a town much larger. Many comical and original floats brought laughter from the crowd while the beautifully decorated floats, were applauded as they passed by.

MILE LONG

The procession, a mile long, reached from the park to the railway station as it stretched thrcugh Waratah, Yass, Nelanglo and Copland Streets.  After judging of the floats, cars, bikes, and individual presentations, the Shire President Cr. Dr. W. M. Barbour welcoming the crowd, spoke on the Coronation. He said the prayers of the whole Commonwealth of Nations were witih Her Majesty with the wish that her reign would be long and peaceful.

EXHIBITIONS

At 1 p.m. a polo crosse exhibition was staged, followed at 1.30 by a demonstration of model aeroplane flying. Both these events pleased the crowd. A general sports meeting and boys football match was held later.  One of the highlights of the celebrations was the huge fire works display, in which giant rockets, jewel mines and Roman candles kept the crowd in a state of excitement.

CORONATION BALL

The bonfires were viewed by hundreds of people who later moved to the Industrial Hall where the Coronation Ball was held. To climax the proceedings the broadcast of the Coronation itself was listened to.

The celebration committee was pleased that the wholehearted manner in which the public responded and thanked the people of Dalton who won many of the prizes; for their fine spirit of cooperation. The President of the committed said he wished to extend his thanks to all who had assisted to make the celebrations a success and concluded with the remark: "We had a great event to celebrate and we celebrated it royally."

Winners in the various sections were: Historical float, Dalton Public School and Dalton Town, tied for first place; best decorated float, Gunning Convent School; trade float, P.M.G.; original float, Dalton Tennis Club; comical float, Bailey's Town Band and Bailey's Towing Unit tied for first place.