Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Australasian Leisure Management is saddened to report on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, Queen Regnant of Australia and New Zealand and Head of the Commonwealth.

The death of the Queen, who died at the age of 96 overnight in Scotland, has led to an ongoing output of tributes and will prompt 10 days of mourning.

In the UK, sporting events scheduled for Friday have been cancelled as a mark of respect while play at the UK PGA Championship golf at Wentworth was suspended on Thursday evening when the news broke, with it later being confirmed that there would also be no play on Friday.

In football, a minute's silence was also held prior to Manchester United's home clash in the Europa League with Real Sociedad.

In Arsenal's Europa League game at FC Zurich in Switzerland, both sets of players emerged for the second half and gathered around the centre circle for a minute's silence.

Through her 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth was a high profile supporter of the arts and sport, as a patron of numerous organisations and in opening many venues and attending and supporting many events.

She opened the Sydney Opera House on 20th October 1973, observing at the time “the Sydney Opera House has captured the imagination of the world, though I understand that its construction has not been totally without problems” commenting on Jørn Utzon’s concept and its construction.

She added “the human spirit must sometimes take wings or sails, and create something that is not just utilitarian or commonplace.”

Brisbane’s Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Sports Centre was named in her honour in 1977, before renamed ANZ Stadium in 1993 and later renamed as the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

The Queen attended the venue as she opened the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

1982 also saw Queen Elizabeth open the Australian National Gallery (now the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra) at an ‘Event of National importance’,

In the presence of 850 guests, the occasion was televised and broadcast to an audience of nearly two million Australians.

Queen Elizabeth also opened Expo 88 in Brisbane on 30th April 1988

In New Zealand, the arts council, first established in 1960, was renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council in her honour three years later during a visit she was making to the country.

In 1974, she attended the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch and also opened Parliament while in 1990, the Queen closed the Commonwealth Games in Auckland and again opened Parliament.

Tributes
Among many tributes, Dame Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, stated “it is with profound sorrow that we learn of the passing of our patron, Her Majesty The Queen.

"Throughout her long life and reign, her extraordinary dedication and service to the Commonwealth has been an inspiration to so many, including all our Commonwealth Games athletes and officials.

"Her Majesty’s vision for the Commonwealth as a diverse and united family of nations will continue to inspire us - and will remain our mission and duty for the benefit of all athletes and communities, through the power of sport.”

Julia Simpson, President and Chief Executive of the World Travel & Tourism Council, commented “WTTC, its members, and the global travel and tourism community are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Queen has been the most incredible force for good. She won the hearts and respect of people and nations around the world. 

“Our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and our heartfelt tribute to Her Majesty the Queen for a lifetime of devotion and dedicated service.”

Images: Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee tour of Great Britain in 2012 (top, credit: Shutterstock), Queen Elizabeth II opening Expo 88 Brisbane on 30th April 1988 (middle, credit: Queensland State Archives Item ID ITM1471704) and Queen Elizabeth II opening the Australian National Gallery in 1982 (below, credit: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra).