A WALKWAY to celebrate the 63-year reign of Elizabeth II as head of the Commonwealth is being seriously considered by Fremantle council.
If approved, the $10,000 Commonwealth Walkway will include up to 20 interactive markers displaying the EIIR (Elizabeth II Regina) cypher.
The project hasn’t been formally approved at this stage, but the council has voted for it to be considered in more detail.
Crs Jeff McDonald and Rachel Pemberton are so far the only elected members to express opposition.
“As we try and move towards reconciliation and becoming a republic I’m rather uncomfortable with the Queen’s cypher being across the city,” Cr Pemberton says.
• Rachel Pemberton beside a Fremantle landmark that could soon have the royal cypher (top left) on it. Photo
by Matthew Dwyer
Indigenous content
“Aside from that, there wasn’t enough detail on how much the installation could cost, what indigenous content would feature and where the markers would be positioned.”
According to a council staffer’s report, the walkway is about “celebrating the Queen as head of the Commonwealth for over 63 years” and constructing a route that highlights the values of the realm.
The notion’s as popular with republicans as a Prince Philip knighthood.
“In the 21st century, when we are trying to cement our own national identity, it would be more appropriate to use symbols and emblems that reflect our own unique past, than the cypher of a royal family who live in a castle far far, away on the other side of the world,” says Australian Republican Movement national director Tim Mayfield.
“This comes on the back of your [state] government naming the Elizabeth Quay—what’s going on over there?” he asks the Herald.
Good question, except Fremantle council isn’t a bastion of Liberal bluebloods — but overflowing with Greens, Laborites and even a card-carrying Socialist.
The walkway has been requested by the UK charity The Outdoor Trust, which aims to install 100 across the Commonwealth over the next four years, modelled on the popular Jubilee walkway in London. “Markers” interface with smartphones to provide text, photos and video.
Perth city council signed off on its walkway in March last year and aims to install its first markers in April.
Glasgow, Wellington and the Falklands Islands are amongst the 11 destinations to have committed to the project so far.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK
Love the idea of Fremantle have a lizzie named walk way, without the UK colony, Fremantle as we know would not exist.
great idea go for it.
Sounds like a great idea having the Queen featured walkway covering her years as Monarch over the commonwealth
Despite what the for mentioned councilor may think.
Australia always has been has been a commonwealth country and its history will never change.
No matter how they try to twist it.
Its quite incorrect to assume that all ALP supporters are racist against Australia’s British heritage or against the Monarchy, as it would be incorrect to assume all Liberals are pro monarchists.
Looking at the last state or federal election numbers to assume that the greens or socialist have any serious support is simply not true the election figures clearly show that.
The real question is how is noisy minority at a local level having such influence, clearly the system is broken