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Diamond Jubilee of Queen VictoriaPrint Page Print this page

Queen Victoria : 02-February-2013
Queen Victoria : 02-February-2013

Photographs supplied by Kent Watson

The bandstand commemorates Queen Victoria in her diamond jubilee year. Local ladies led by Mayoress Mrs. Northcott raised the funds to build the structure.

Victoria (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she adopted the additional title of Empress of India. With a reign of 63 years, seven months and two days, Victoria was the longest -reigning British monarch and the longest-reigning queen regnant in world history until her great-great-granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her on 9 September 2015.

Queen Victoria`s birthday, 24th May, used to be called `Empire Day`. There were special assemblies at school with songs praising the British Empire. Children were then given a half-day holiday. Up to the 1950s, Empire Day was celebrated in Australia with huge bonfires and fireworks.

The celebrations in Creswick and district were arranged on a most intensive scale, and the various demonstrations passed off most successfully. In Creswick the festivities were carried out on Monday. The first event was the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new band stand, which is being erected in Market-square. This function was performed by the mayoress (Mrs W.P. Northcott) in the presence of about 1000 children and a large concourse of people. 
Excerpt from Argus (Melbourne), 23 June 1897.

Location

Address:Midland Highway, Creswick, 3363
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -37.424688
Long: 143.894149
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Structure
Monument Theme:Government
Sub-Theme:Imperial
Actual Event Start Date:20-June-1837
Actual Event End Date:20-June-1897

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Monday 21st June, 1897
Front Inscription

Erected in commemoration of the 60th year of Her Majesty's Reign

June 21st 1897.

Mrs. W. P. Northcott     Mayoress.
Mrs. W. J. Broadbent   Hon. Secretary.

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au