The impact of Queen Victorias Death on Australia

Queen Victoria’s Death

Queen Victoria’s reign, lasted 63 years, from 1837 to 1901. She ascended the throne of Great Britain, when she was 18. Despite being the Queen of Britain, and a very influential and prominent person, she also had an impact on Australian history. In Australia the most apparent legacy of Queen Victoria’s reign is manifested in the names of the two states, Victoria and Queensland. There are also a large number of other important buildings and places, named in her honor such as, the Queen Victoria Building, in Sydney.

Victoria was loved and respected by her subjects, and Australian society at the time was affected greatly by the loss of their beloved Queen. An example of the affection and grief felt by the Australian people is apparent in the following poem, written by J D Horne of Castlemaine, Victoria.

“Who can recall to memory the life

Of one so loved, so dear —

A devoted mother, Queen and wife

A friend when few drew near —

And not in silent agony

Be melted into tears.

A nation weeps her,

The whole world mourns her...

Dead, did I say? Ah! No! She lives

In every loving heart.

A nation’s grief is not assuaged –

No time can heal the smart.

She lives forever, and her deeds

Will live in memory too,

And history recount her praise

For all the ages through.

For never monarch lived on earth

So worthy of our song...”

The Victorian era, as it became known, was the time of Queen Victoria’s reign. Victoria’s death signaled the end of an era. It was a rich and significant period in Britain, which had a positive influence on Australia also. It saw profound social changes culminating in the rise of the middle class, population growth, and an increase in wealth. Victoria was Queen and so it was seen as a product of her reign and so the love for her increased. Victoria’s death created a feeling of insecurity and uncertainty of what would result. However, it also created the feeling of opportunity and a new beginning. “There was a sense not only in London but in all the capitals of the world that an age had come to an end, a stronger sense than there had been when the 19th century itself drew to a close.” (1).

There were mixed feelings with the end of Victoria’s reign. At the time Australian culture still revolved around Britain and most Australian’s were either born in Britain, or had relatives residing there.