Victoria Park was in party mode as wellwishers waited with anticipation to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
According to Mayor Ben Shields, Dubbo had been expecting about 10,000 people.
After the announcement of the Duke and Duchess’s forthcoming baby, shortly after their arrival in Sydney, was estimated to be around 15,000.
However, the rain arrived before Harry and Meghan did so there was a mad scramble for umbrellas and raincoats.
However, an estimated 18,000 people were in Victoria Park despite the wet weather.
Many schoolchildren also arrived to catch a glimpse, or even say ‘hello’.
Past Royal Visits
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited Dubbo on 10 February 1954, arriving by plane to meet dignitaries and RSL personnel at Victoria Park, including the War Memorial, followed by a visit to No 1 Oval to meet schoolchildren and the Dubbo Show to see some woodchopping and sheep-shearing.
The Queen and Prince Philip returned on 21 February 1992 to visit the Taronga Western Plaines Zoo, met wellwishers along Macquarie Street, The School of Distance Education and attended a State Luncheon, accompanied by NSW Premier Nick Greiner, at the Dubbo War Memorial Civic Centre.
Many had travelled long distances from places such as Tamworth, Walgett and Narramine to see the royal couple.
About Dubbo
Dubbo is a city in New South Wales’ Great Western Plains, with a population of over 55,000, located on the intersection of the Newell, Mitchell and Golden highways, and major routes for rail and air transport.
Explorer John Oxley passed through the region in 1817 and reported the potential of the land for grazing and agriculture.
The ‘Village of Dubbo’ was proclaimed in 1849 and officially became a town in 1872, then a city in 1966.
Average maximum temperatures range from 16° to 31.2° Celsius.
Tourist attractions include Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the Old Dubbo Gaol and the Dundullimal Homestead.
Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreational activities like fishing, camping and barbecues.
Visit http://dubbo.com.au for more information, including accommodation, where to eat, local attractions, what’s on and Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
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