MANNERS AND OTHER MATTERS

Channel 7, Perth   I had a great week while Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh were in Perth. As one of the few people here who specialise in etiquette and protocol, I was given the opportunity to speak about the varying aspects of protocol associated with the Royal Visit, from whether the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard was correct in not curtsying to the Queen, to whether the Queen would eat the kangaroo stew she was being offered during her visit to Clontarf Aboriginal College. Channel 10.  Should the Prime Minister have curtsied? It was all great fun, and a wonderful learning curve, as when reviewing the at times unflattering images of me  which TV produced, I developed an enduring respect for those TV presenters who provide us with news and reportage each and every day.    The make up and clothing choices are exhausting! But I had the opportunity to meet and work with very talented professionals.  We take for granted the ...

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Photo:  The West Australian) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Perth, Western Australia tomorrow afternoon.  There is great excitement among those who are traditional Monarchists and also those who will meet and greet her as the Australians who will probably vote for a Republic in the not too distant future. Quite aside from politics, Her Majesty has reigned as Head of the Commonwealth since she became the Queen in 1952.  This remarkable lady has outlasted many Prime Ministers, Presidents and Heads of State during her reign.  One can only imagine the stories she is able to tell about them. And certainly from the public images we have, Her Majesty has seen the change of century, world tribulations, crises, technical innovations and more with courtesy and graciousness. My family were staunch monarchists.  I remember my mother taking my sister and me down to stand under one of the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 196...