An island in Australia is to be named after The Queen as part of year long celebrations marking her Platinum Jubilee.
Aspen Island, in Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, will become Queen Elizabeth II Island in June 2022 as the main celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s reign take place.
It’s just one of a wide range of events to mark the Platinum Jubilee that were announced by Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, as 2022 got under way.
The country will also issue a set of commemorative stamps and mint special coins for the anniversary. Central to celebrations will be the lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon in Canberra and the illumination of buildings around the country.
Scott Morrison said ”Seventy years of service is a truly immense achievement, and we are proud to join with other Commonwealth nations to celebrate this milestone.”
He added ”Her Majesty has always held a deep affection and close connection with the people of Australia…we plan to hold a range of events to coincide with key dates throughout 2022, to show our respect and appreciation for seven decades of service.”
The ceremony renaming Aspen Island as Queen Elizabeth II Island will also include the dedication of a new Queen Elizabeth Water Gardens nearby. The island chosen is home of the National Carillon, the bell tower presented to Australia by Britain to mark the 50th anniversary of Canberra as the nation’s capital. The Carillon was opened by The Queen in 1970.
Other Platinum Jubilee events are planned across Australia throughout 2022 with fresh announcements expected soon.
