Proud member: Bridget ‘Biddy’ McNamara, wearing her Order of Australia Medal, can see a future where Australia becomes a republic.
Photo by
Caleb Francis
On Saturday the world will turn its gaze to London, where the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will take place.
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As the royal family carries out its age-old traditions and rituals, Australians are left to ponder the future of the monarchy.
In this day and age, when talk of republicanism is rampant, the coronation has become a lightning rod for debates on the relevance of the British monarchy.
Many Australians believe it is time to cut ties with a foreign monarch and have our own head of state, while others argue the monarchy has an important role to play.
Bridget McNamara, a 2020 Order of Australia Medal recipient for her service to the community of Shepparton, commended the monarchy for its role in keeping everything in line over the years.
“I believe the monarchy has been remarkable in its service over the years, and I have confidence that the future king will continue to do a great job,” she said.
“He had a wonderful role model in his mother, the late Queen, and after 70 years of being an ‘apprentice’, he should be more than capable of fulfilling his duties with excellence.”
Mrs McNamara also highlighted the King’s connections to Australia.
“I think he’s very fond of Australia, having lived here and visited frequently, and he even attended school at Geelong Grammar,” she said.
However, Mrs McNamara believes Australia should eventually govern itself.
“It’s appropriate to celebrate the coronation and let him have his well-deserved moment,” she said.
“But in the future, I think it’s time for Australia to truly govern itself, although not just at this moment, because Charles deserves his time as king.”
While some view the coronation as a relic of the past, others see it as an opportunity to celebrate tradition and continuity.
Keen observer: Jim Laussen will be watching the coronation but supports the idea of a republic.
Photo by
Caleb Francis
Jim Laussen, while not necessarily a supporter of the monarchy, will be keeping a close eye on the television this weekend.
“As a historic event, it’s amazing to be watching something like that,” he said.
“There hasn’t been anything like that in my lifetime. So, I’m excited to see the pomp and the ceremony and the pageantry, and it’ll be a great event.”
Mr Laussen is even hosting friends from Melbourne for the weekend, and they will enjoy coronation quiche and coronation chicken.
However, he also hopes Australia will become a republic in the future.
Strong republican: Helen Grover is no fan of the monarchy, calling it a costly extravagance.
Photo by
Caleb Francis
On the other hand, Helen Grover is a strong republican and will not be watching the coronation.
“It’s a load of nonsense,” she said.
“So much money for no good reason. Hopefully, there’ll be an end to it.”
Regardless of societal opinions, the newly crowned King Charles III will take his place in Westminster Abbey, the same spot where his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned in 1953.
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