The King’s Birthday was first celebrated in Australia in 1788. In that year, Governor Arthur Phillip declared a holiday to mark King George III’s birthday. Originally, the holiday fell on a monarch’s actual birthday. However, after the death of King George V in 1936, the date remained close to his birthday, which was June 3.
Histroy of the King’s Birthday
Formerly the Queen’s Birthday Until 2022, the holiday was known as Queen’s Birthday and dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III ascended to the British throne, which also made him Head of the Commonwealth and King of Australia. .Australia is a constitutional monarchy with the King or Queen of the UK acting as the head of state.
In most Australian states and territories, the King’s Birthday falls on the second Monday in June—on the same date as the United Kingdom. However, two states have decided to move the holiday to a different date to avoid clashes with other state holidays: Western Australia usually observes the holiday on the fourth Monday of September or the first Monday of October. The date is proclaimed each year by the state’s governor. Queensland celebrates King’s Birthday on the first Monday of October.
With the holiday falling on different dates throughout the country, it must be noted that it doesn’t fall on the king’s actual birthday. Charles III was born on November 14, 1948. The official date was set to June to increase the chance of fair weather during the birthday celebrations in the United Kingdom. In the Northern Hemisphere, June is the first month of summer, and it is one of the driest and warmest months of the year in London. In Australia, on the other hand, June marks the beginning of winter and it is one of the coolest and wettest months.
Most Australians have the day off on King’s Birthday, and since it falls on a Monday, it usually creates a long weekend. For many, it is a chance to do something with their family or to visit a sporting event. Some people take advantage of the three-day weekend to make trips to visit friends or relatives.
Sporting Event on the King’s Birthday
Some well known sporting events are held on King’s Birthday. These include an Australian Football League (AFL) game played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons.
King’s Birthday as A Public Holiday?
New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory celebrate the King’s Birthday public holiday on June 10.
Western Australia celebrates the monarch’s birthday on September 23 and in Queensland the public holiday falls on October 7.
The public holiday does not mark King Charles’ true birthday, which falls on November 14.
What’s open King’s Birthday?
Coles
Stores in ACT, Victoria, NSW, NT and Tasmania remains open.
Stores in Queensland and WA are unaffected by the public holiday.
In South Australia, all stores closed except for: Whyalla, Murray Bridge Green, Mount Gambier,Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Berri, Port Augusta, Mount Barker, Adelaide Rundle Place and Victor Harbor.
Woolworths
Woolworths supermarkets in the NSW, WA, ACT, NT, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania are open however some individual stores opening and closing times may vary.
ALDI
An ALDI spokesperson said trading hours will vary across the long weekend and customers are advised to check opening and closing times “closer to June 10”.
Visit their website for specific store trading hours: Click Here.
Dan Murphy’s
In the ACT, NSW, SA, Tasmania and Victoria the majority will be open at 10am with most closing at 6pm or 7pm.
All Dan Murphy’s stores will be open with reduced trading hours.
Queensland and WA stores are unaffected.
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