Queen Elizabeth II Island

Queen Elizabeth II Island
Aerial view with Kings Avenue Bridge, behind (pictured in 2007 as Aspen Island).
Map
EtymologyNamed after Elizabeth II
Geography
LocationLake Burley Griffin, Canberra (Map)
Coordinates35°17′56″S 149°08′32″E / 35.29889°S 149.14222°E / -35.29889; 149.14222
Total islands1
Highest elevation578 m (1896 ft)(approx.)
Administration
Australia
Demographics
Population0

Queen Elizabeth II Island, formerly Aspen Island, is an artificial island located within Lake Burley Griffin, in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. It lies within the Parliamentary Triangle.

The island is located on the south-eastern side of the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin and is linked by a footbridge to the mainland at Kings Park. The Australian National Carillon is situated on the island, and the footbridge is named after John Douglas Gordon, who played the inaugural recital.[1] Queen Elizabeth II Island is the largest of three islands at the south-eastern end of the Central Basin. The two smaller adjacent islands are unnamed.[2]

History

The island was originally gazetted as Aspen Island on 21 November 1963, and named after the aspen tree,[3] of which some are classified by botanists in the section Populus, of the poplar genus.

On 1 January 2022, prime minister Scott Morrison announced that Aspen Island would be renamed Queen Elizabeth II Island in June 2022 as part of the Australian celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia.[4] The island was renamed on 4 June in a ceremony presided over by the newly elected prime minister Anthony Albanese.[5]

  • The north-west end of Queen Elizabeth II Island, during summer.
    The north-west end of Queen Elizabeth II Island, during summer.
  • Queen Elizabeth II Island viewed from the Kings Avenue Bridge
    Queen Elizabeth II Island viewed from the Kings Avenue Bridge
  • Queen Elizabeth II Island Sign
    Queen Elizabeth II Island Sign

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Queen Elizabeth II Island.

References

  1. ^ "Aspen Island – Home to the National Carillon". National Capital Authority. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  2. ^ Marshall, Duncan; Firth, Dianne (2011). "National Carillon & Aspen Island Heritage Management Plan" (PDF). National Capital Authority. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Aspen Island". Place name search. Government of the Australian Capital Territory. Retrieved 17 February 2013. [dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Australia to honour Platinum Jubilee with national events". Prime Minister of Australia. 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Aspen Island renaming". Retrieved 4 June 2022.
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