IT was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Stratford residents Ethel and Keith Davidson, who met the Queen during her first visit to Australia on Wednesday March 3, 1954 at the RAAF Base East Sale.
Ethel and Keith’s daughter-in-law, Jan Davidson, shared with the Gippsland Times photos from that day.
“It was a very special day. It was an honour to meet the Queen and an honour for Stratford to have the Avon Shire Councillor (Keith) meeting the Queen,” she said.
“Keith Davidson was president of the Avon Shire before it became Wellington Shire.”
In the photo at the top of this article, Keith Davidson shakes hands with the Queen (obscured). Ethel is standing nearby with the white shoes.
Jan said that Ethel and Keith always had a photo in their home of them meeting the Queen. “And the grandchildren were all told how exciting it was to meet the Queen,” she said.
Jan was 19-years-old at the time. “My late husband Colin Davidson was (present) in his national service uniform, because he was on duty that day,” she said.
Jan described the late Monarch as a marvellous lady. “And she had a beautiful smile and her eyes just shone”.
“She had so much love for people. I thought she was a lovely lady and she will be missed.”
