A new statue of Queen Elizabeth II has been proposed, in celebration of her 2022 Platinum Jubilee. The statue will be the state’s second monument of Her Majesty, which will complement the sculpture of her at the Government House in Paddington.
The idea was broached by MP Jarrod Bleijie to the State Government as the 95-year-old Queen marks her Platinum Jubilee this year. She is the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the 53 members of the Commonwealth, including Australia.
Mr Bleijie believes that Queen Elizabeth’s new statue should stand in a prominent place, accessible for all Queenslanders to see. He is hopeful the state has begun discussions with Buckingham Palace regarding the new sculpture.
Statue at Government House
In September 1986, the Honourable Sir Walter Campbell unveiled Queen Elizabeth’s first statue in Queensland at the corner of George and Alice Streets at the Queen’s Place in the CBD. It is one of two bronze sculptures of Her Majesty as created by South Australian artist Dr John Dowie.
The statue depicts Queen Elizabeth in her 50s. It was subsequently relocated from the CBD to the Government House in Paddington in May 2016.
“The statue is emblematic both of the central role the Crown plays in our constitutional arrangements, as she looks back from here towards Parliament House and the Executive Building, and of the enduring, warm affection and high regard in which Her Majesty is held by Queenslanders,” former Governor of Queensland Paul de Jersey said during the 2016 move.
“It is now my great honour to unveil this plaque, marking the relocation of the statue of Her Majesty The Queen to its new home here, in the grounds of “the peoples’ house”, where I know it will be enjoyed and marvelled at by the many thousands of people who visit each year!”