Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi, has extended his condolences with deepest sympathy on behalf of The Hills Shire Council, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
He reflected on the Queen's remarkable dedication as reigning monarch for 70 years and acknowledged that the Royal Family, along with the people she ruled, will be mourning her loss.
"The reign of Queen Elizabeth II was the longest in the history of the British monarchy. Earlier this year, Her Majesty celebrated her platinum jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne, and today the Commonwealth will be united in their remembrance of her exemplary service," Mayor Gangemi said.
Queen Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to visit Australia, in 1954 with Prince Phillip, and toured the nation 16 times during her reign.
"Queen Elizabeth II gave a lifetime of service to the Commonwealth and had a fondness for Australia, even passing through The Hills in 1986 where residents lined the streets to greet her," he said.
"I know that our community will be paying their respects to her as monarch of Australia, as a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and foremost for her supreme sense of duty to her role."
"Her Majesty put service above self throughout her reign, whether it was helping during World War II, supporting countless causes, greeting her people or, in her final days, swearing in new British Prime Minister Liz Truss."
Mayor Gangemi remarked on the impact of the kindness and interest the Queen showed towards the people she greeted.
"Queen Elizabeth II showed genuine care and concern for those she served. We are all so thankful for her remarkable and unprecedented years of service – and the integrity, dignity and loyalty she has shown," he said.
"She was universally respected, loved and cherished and will be greatly missed. Her impact on the lives of people in Australia, and The Hills, cannot be underestimated."
"I have requested the General Manager fly the flags at Council at half-mast to pay tribute to the Queen and I will present a Mayoral Minute at our upcoming Council meeting to acknowledge her remarkable reign."
"Residents can leave a message of condolence to the Royal Family at each of our libraries and at Council. The messages from residents will be bound into a book and sent to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom," Mayor Gangemi added.
