QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY

Well it's the Queen's birthday holiday weekend.

Why do Australians celebrate the Queen's birthday?

Australia is a member of the Commonwealth Realms. It is an organisation of mostly former British colonies that recognise Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch. Australia achieved legislative independence after the Australian parliament ratified the Statute of Westminster in 1942, back-dated to 1939.
However, the Queen is still the monarch of Australia.

Why we celebrate her birthdayon the second Monday in June when she was born on the 21st April I don't know but I guess it is all about spreading out the holiday weekends.

We already have ANZAC Day (25th April ) and May Day ( first Monday in May ) .

So a long weekend in June it is and a lovely time of year for a holiday.
In Brisbane everyone is out in the parks in the winter sunshine.

Well there are groups of people down by the river !

and picnicking in the bandstand....

and lots of shoppers in the City Pedestrian Mall.

Brisbane City has kept the facades of the old buildings and built new buildings and shopping centres behind them.

This fine building used to be the State Treasury Building.

Ironically it now houses Brisbane's casino !!!

Today we made a rare visit to the city.... to window shop, then stroll down to Riverside for a late bite of lunch.

Can't say we were impressed with the food at a well known coffee shop at Riverside.

Look at the avocado that was served up to us as part of the dish.

When we complained the staff just agreed that it was not up to standard then went on with their work.

We won't be eating there again!

Cheers.