Queen’s death: Australians encouraged to donate to charities and not leave flowers for Elizabeth II

Australians have been asked to donate to a charity of their choice rather than leave flowers in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Royal Family has encouraged mourners to make the donation to remember the Queen who spent her life dedicated to her royal duties and helping others.

Elizabeth II was known for her charitable deeds with the Queen frequently lending a helping hand to Australia during the country’s times of need.

In 2009, she made a private donation following the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria.

The blaze is considered to be the deadliest in the country after it destroyed 2,029 homes and killed 173 people. 

In 2011, the Queen donated money to help with the recovery effort after major floods battered Queensland.

Some 90 towns were inundated while 200,000 people were evacuated while 33 people died.

The Queen said she had been closely following the reports at the time with great concern before extending her sympathies to families.

She visited the country months later in October praising the ‘resilience’ of Australians.

‘We are here to pay tribute to the resilience and courage of Queenslanders who bravely picked up their lives and rebuilt them after a period of great adversity,’ she said.

‘This morning we travelled along the Brisbane River listening to the stories of when the river broke its banks, and seeing the vast impact of the natural disaster.’

In 2018, the Queen made a private donation to support farmers who were battling through one of the worst droughts in living memory.

Elizabeth II was known for her charitable deeds with the Queen frequently lending a helping hand to Australia during the country’s times of need (pictured, Queen Elizabeth interacts with locals in Australia during her visit in 2011)

In 2009, the Queen made a private donation following the Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria (pictured, Country Fire Authority volunteer during 2009 bushfire)

‘I know Australia as a land where extremes of weather, floods and droughts are taken in their stride, and life goes on with a stoic and determined spirit,’ she said.

‘My thoughts and prayers are with the many individuals, families, communities and businesses who have been affected, and I send my sincere thanks to all those who stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their support’.

The request from the Royal Family for donations comes as states and territories around the country make arrangements for residents to pay tribute to the Queen. 

A condolence book will be open at St Andrews Cathedral in the Sydney CBD while mourners can leave flowers at the door on the side of the building on George Street. 

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said residents can leave their thoughts and prayers online or they can visit Government House.

‘Her Majesty was dearly loved and will be greatly missed,’ Palaszczuk wrote on Twitter.

In 2011, the Queen donated money to help with the recovery effort after major floods battered Queensland (pictured)

‘Government House will open to the public as an official place of mourning between 8am and 4pm on Friday, 9 September, and Saturday, 10 September, with additional dates and times to be advised in due course.’

South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas said a tribute site will be set up and a condolence book opened at Government House and Playford, in Adelaide’s north.

‘Her Majesty served South Australia dutifully, with dignity and through significant eras of social change,’ Mr Malinauskas said. 

Condolence books will also be open at Parliament House and Government House in Canberra and available on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website.