Procession to celebrate Coronation Day in Mossman, 1953
Keywords: Events and Celebrations; Coronation Day; Streets
Photo date: 02/06/1953.
Photo Location: Mossman.
Photo condition: (3) Satisfactory.
Photo ref.#: 472.
Subject: Events and Celebrations; Coronation Day; Streets
Category: People, Streets, Views
Photographer: Unknown
Copyright: Out of copyright.
Condition of Use: You are free to use without permission. Please attribute Series owner.
Comments: From Cairns Post 9/6/1953 MOSSMAN CELEBRATIONS MOSSMAN, June 4.-With its celebration of Coronation
Day on Tuesday, June 2, Mossman had one' of its most colourful days for some time, and the ' commemoration of theCoronation will leave a lasting memory.
For some days before June 2 the "Coronation fever" had been building up, and manifestations of loyalty in the form of flags, bunting, streamers and other decorations steadily increased. By the eve of the Coronation there was an air of excitement throughout the district, and coloured lights
around the central part of the town helped the gaiety of the occasion.
Anxiety for a fine day was allayed when Coronation morning broke clear, after a showery night, church services were well attended, and by half-past nine a good crowd had assembled in the streets
to get early places pf advantage to see the procession. This had been organised by the Show Society, which was conducting the Coronation Day festivities.
By the time the procession started there was a large crowd lining Mill and Front streets.
A public address system had been set up for the occasion on the Exchange Hotel verandah and by this means the individual entries in the procession were identified.
The first item was a most amusing caricature of the "Old Grey Mare" presented by Misses Pat Donovan and Norma Anderson, in a miniature "gig." Miss Stella Maxwell also was appropriately dressed.
Leading the more serious side of the procession was the officer in charge of police (Sergeant Bartlam), accompanied by Constable Jacobsen, followed "'by an official car conveying the chairman of the
Douglas Shire Council Cr. R.D. Rex) and Mrs. Rex. Mr. W.F. Moffatt (shire clerk) and Mrs. Moffatt. Stirring music was provided by Mossman's pipers, who led a contingent of marchers comprising the
Boy Scouts, Cubs, Girl Guides, Junior Red Cross, basketball club (in costume) and R.S.L immediately following the marching units were the decorated cycles. Then followed the floats. 26 in all, which pro-
vided a display which was a credit to those responsible. After the floats followed
the Mossman contingent of show horses, and these were followed by private vehicles which followed the procession on its way to the sport ground for the continuation of the day's programme.
Series: Mossman Central Mill Collection
