From bishops to students – many mourn Queen at National Service

Good Shepherd Primary School in Amaroo staff and students attend the National Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II at Parliament House

Politicians, ambassadors, church leaders, school students and other guests have joined the governor-general, prime minister and opposition leader for a unique service to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen was remembered for her decades of service to the Commonwealth at the memorial service in Parliament House, marking a national day of mourning for one of the longest reigning, and most popular, monarchs in world history.

Representing the Australian Catholic Bishops, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Christopher Prowse, said that a highlight of the service for him was the minute’s silence observed inside Parliament House.

“During the minute’s silence, there was a tangible presence of something uniting us, which we as Christians recognise as the Lord,” Archbishop Prowse said. ” The Queen symbolises a dignified unity – sometimes spoken, sometimes unspoken. In this fractured world, it is great to have world leaders who unite rather than divide.” 

The invited crowd of 700 guests included church leaders Archbishop Charles Balvo, the apostolic nuncio to Australia, Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia, and Archbishop Makarios Griniezakis, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia.

Also attending the memorial service were several community organisations, including, members of the state emergency services and the Scouts, and school students representing many Canberra Catholic and Government primary and secondary schools.

Eying an opportunity to rub shoulders with VIPs, Year Six Good Shepherd Catholic Primary school student Sienna Yates introduced herself to former Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and John Howard.

Watching on, Principal David Austin was astounded at not only Sienna’s confidence but how accommodating the two former Prime Ministers were. “They were very nice”, declared Sienna, “they asked me which school I attended and what year I am in.”

Good Shepherd Catholic Primary school student adds a piece of wattle to the remembrance wreath.

After pulling names out of a hat, four students and the school’s admin officer accompanied Mr Austin. 

“Attending the service was an excellent opportunity for the students,” Mr Austin said. 

“Having national leaders and Year Six student leaders in the same room along with representatives from many community organisations and all on a similar footing, made it an absolute honour to be involved. It’s not just about honouring past leadership,” Mr Austin said, “but Australia’s future leaders too.”

“Placing students in an environment in which values such as servant leadership, decency, humility, loyalty and dedication to God and family life are affirmed by the nation’s leaders is extremely inspirational for our young people,” he said.