Prince Charles visits Mossman

ROYAL VISIT

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Prince Charles waves to Mossman locals as he makes his way to Mossman Gorge for talks. Image supplied

Mossman locals were provided with a royal treat this afternoon when the Prince of Wales made a quick stop at the Mossman Showgrounds witnessed by only around 50 members of the community before heading to a conservation gathering at Mossman Gorge.

But for the many residents of the area, it was a rushed affair as they only learned at 2pm that Prince Charles’ helicopter would be landing at 2:25pm.

“But it was well worth it. What an occasion, lots of security, but a real treat for us up here to see royalty in the flesh,” said one local.

Prince Charles is visiting Australia for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, which he officially opened on Wednesday.

The visit to Mossman Gorge believed to be a roundtable discussions on sustainable forestry. The roundtable brings together industry representatives from Australia and New Zealand.

A Welcome to Country smoking ceremony was performed by a Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal elder, who took the Prince on a guided tour of the Ngadiku Dreamtime walk to explain the relationship that the Indigenous people have had with the tropical environment for more than 50,000 years.

Earlier today, he was in Cairns where he attended church and was greeted by the Bishop of North Queensland.

After the church visit, Prince Charles headed to the Navy base in Cairns, where he met some of the 900 Australian Defence Force personnel employed there, according to the ABC.

He presented the Duke of Gloucester Cup on board HMAS Leewin, and presented it to the Hydrographic Ship Blue Crew for its outstanding work in 2017.

Prince Charles visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to help celebrate its 90th year and formally named the RFDS new Super King Air — the Outback Angel.

It's believed that Prince Charles will be departing Mossman Showgrounds at 4pm today.


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