Is Queen’s Birthday a Holiday in Australia?
Queen’s Day in Australia is observed as a public holiday by six states, two territories and three external territories, according to Holidays 2021. It is celebrated nationally on the second Monday during the month of June every year. However, states such as Queensland and Western Australia do not observe the festivity on the same date. Schools, universities, colleges, businesses, public dealing sectors and much more remain closed on this day.
Queen’s Birthday History
Queen’s Birthday history holds relevant significance and commemorates the beginning of its observance. Australia comes under the constitutional monarchy of the Queen and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Although the present Queen Elizabeth II was officially born on April 21, 1926, there are various dates on which her birthday is celebrated across the Commonwealth Nations. As per historical testimonies, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather George Frederick Ernest Albert, popularly known as George V, was born on 3 June 1865, and after his death in 1936, the birthday date was never changed.
In the old times, huge fireworks displays were carried out in Australia to mark the glorious occasion of the Queen’s birthday. However, Australian Capital Territory has banned the sale or usage of fireworks on the Queen’s Birthday since 2009.
Queen’s Birthday Celebrations in Australia
To mark the occasion, Australian government observes a public holiday all over the country. That is, natives enjoy a day off on this day and plan a picnic or family get-together. The Queen’s Birthday Match is an annual Australian Rules Football game held on the occasion of the Queen’s Birthday in Victoria. Usually, this game is played between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne cricket club.
On the Queen’s Birthday date in Australia, the Queen’s Birthday Honours List is disclosed, in which the new Order of Australia members are revealed along with other Australian honours such as the Conspicuous Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Medal for Gallantry, Conspicuous Service Medal, the Public Service Medal etc. issued by Her Majesty The Queen herself. This list commemorates the names of those who have offered their exceptional service and devotion to the Australian Government or Country as a whole. The day sees a huge road congestion, normal stores restricting their opening and closing hours and so on.
The Royal Military Academy, Duntroon carries out the Queen’s Birthday Parade annually, which is regarded as one of the main public celebratory events. Trooping of the Queen’s Colour ceremony is performed vivaciously by the regiment.
|2019||Mon||10 June||Queen’s Birthday||State Holiday, Common State holiday|
|2020||Mon||8 June||Queen’s Birthday||State Holiday, Common State holiday|
|2021||Mon||14 June||Queen’s Birthday||State Holiday, Common State holiday|
|2022||Mon||13 June||Queen’s Birthday||State Holiday, Common State holiday|
|2023||Mon||12 June||Queen’s Birthday||State Holiday, Common State holiday|
|2024||Mon||10 June||Queen’s Birthday||State Holiday, Common State holiday|
|2025||Mon||9 June||Queen’s Birthday||State Holiday, Common State holiday|
1. Which states have Queen’s Birthday holiday?
In all states and territories except Queensland and Western Australia.
2. Are shops closed on Queen’s birthday?
The Queen’s birthday is on Monday and you may find most smaller shops closed or operating on restricted hours.
3. Why does the queen always carry a handbag?
Her Majesty’s personal bag is used as often to give secret signals to the staff as it is to hold personal belongings.
4. What star sign is the Queen?
The Queen falls into the Taurus category.