Quizmaster Marles doles out portraits
MORE than a dozen people turned out to a constitutional pop quiz in Geelong yesterday, hoping for a portrait of the Queen.
Corio MP Richard Marles hosted the lighthearted quiz at his Yarra St office after being inundated with more than 100 requests for the portraits — sparked by public interest in requesting free “nationhood material” from MPs.
About 20 people took part in the off-beat event, answering and discussing the five questions as a group beside a table of portraits, flags, national anthem recordings and other items.
Those who wanted an item of nationhood material — or a copy of the constitution — were free to grab one, regardless of their constitutional knowledge.
Newtown Australian Air Force Cadets Flight Lieutenant Don Burns attended the event, bringing with him a faded picture of a much younger monarch, which he replaced with a 2012 Diamond Jubilee portrait.
“I read about this in the paper and it actually prompted me to look at our facility and we’re going through a big period of change and upgrading,” Flight Lt Burns said. “I looked up on the wall and here’s the Queen looking quite young, and I thought it’s about time to upgrade that as well.”
Spurred on by the success of the tongue-incheek event, Mr Marles is planning to hold a Wattle Day barbecue event at Eastern Beach on September 1 to foster discussion about Australia becoming a republic. Those who correctly answer questions at this event are set to receive a sausage rather than an image of the Queen.