Queen's birthday 2009

The official head of state of Australia is the Monarch of the Commonwealth Realms. In most of Australia, his or her birthday is officially celebrated on the second Monday in June. However, in the state of Western Australia, it is celebrated on a day proclaimed by the Governor, often on the last Monday of September or the first Monday of October. The current monarch of the Commonwealth Realms is Queen Elizabeth II.

Most of Australia celebrates the Queen's Birthday holiday. Queen Elizabeth II is the current monarch of Australia. ©iStockphoto.com/David Newton

Most people have a day off work on the Queen's Birthday. For many, it is a chance to do something with their family or to visit a sporting event. Some people take advantage of the three-day weekend to make trips to visit friends or relatives.

Some well-known sporting events are held on the second Monday in June. These include an Australian Football League game played at the Melbourne cricket club between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons. It is also traditionally seen as the opening weekend of the snow season in Australia, although it is often not possible to really ski for another few weeks.

Traditionally, many public fireworks displays were organized on the Queen's Birthday. However, in recent years, these have been overshadowed by the New Year's Eve displays. In the Australian Capital Territory, members of the public can only buy and set off fireworks on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Queen's Birthday weekend. This is illegal at all other times of the year.

Public life

In all of Australia, except Western Australia, a public holiday is held to mark the Queen's Birthday on the second Monday in June. On this day, all schools and post offices, except Western Australia, are closed, as are many other organizations. Many stores are open, but may have restricted opening hours. There may be some congestion on roads as many people use the long weekend to make trips. Public transport services may be reduced or not run at all. In Western Australia, the second Monday in June is a normal weekday and public life is not affected.

In Western Australia, the date of the public holiday to mark the Queen's Birthday is proclaimed by the Governor. There are no fast rules about when it will fall, but it is often on the last Monday of September or the first Monday of October. On this public holiday, all schools and post offices, in Western Australia, are closed, as are many other organizations. Many stores are open, but they may have restricted opening hours. There may be some congestion on roads as many people use the long weekend to make trips. Public transport services may be reduced or not run at all. In the rest of Australia, it is a normal weekday and public life is not affected.

Background

Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the official head of state is the Monarch of the Realms. This is currently Queen Elizabeth II. She is also the head of state of many other countries and territories, including Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Canada and New Zealand. She was born on April 26, 1926, although her official birthday is celebrated on a range of dates in the different countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Monarch's Birthday was first celebrated in Australia in 1788. In that year, King George III was the Monarch and Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday to mark his birthday. Originally, the Monarch's birthday was celebrated on the anniversary of the actual date of birth of the King or Queen. However, after the death of King George V in 1936, the date remained close to his birthday, which was June 3.

On the second Monday in June, the Queen's Birthday honors list is released. This contains the names of the new members of the Order of Australia and other honors issued by the Australian government or the Queen. These are generally for exceptional service to Australians, Australia or humanity as a whole.