Some people would have been transfixed to the TV on Saturday night for the coronation of King Charles III, while others would have headed across to a streaming service to avoid the occasion.
From the files of the Warragul Gazette almost 70 years ago it is fair enough to assume that everyone was monarchist to the core.
The issue of June 2, 1953, the date of the coronation UK time, saw the front page totally devoted to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The heading "Crowning of Our Beautiful Queen Today" takes up the six-column width of the broadsheet edition.
It is complete with four photographs, something of a rarity in that era. One is of the Queen, another of her with the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, a headshot of Sir Winston Churchill and the imperial state crown.
A feature of the celebrations was a combined church service the Sunday beforehand held at the Warragul Theatre. It followed special church services throughout the district.
According to the report, it drew a large congregation and the front seats were occupied by Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, and Guides.
"A large portrait of the Queen, on which a special light was focused, drapings of the Union Jack and a profusion of flowers, gave an appropriate attraction to the stage."
On the Tuesday processions were held in Warragul and Drouin.
The Gazette reported that a crowd of 3000 went to the Warragul Showgrounds after hundreds of people had lined the sidewalks to watch the procession.
"The large crowds which thronged the streets of Drouin, and later the recreation reserve, were claimed to be the largest seen in the town since VJ Day."
Coronation Medal
Three Warragul and two Drouin personalities received awards of the Coronation Medal.
They are:
Warragul: Cr H.F. Stoll, shire president; Mr L. A. Hemley, shire secretary; Miss H.N. McMahon, directress of nursing at West Gippsland Hospital.
Drouin: Cr. E.G. Porter shire president; Mr T.J. Ryan, shire secretary.
Another recipient was Mr Desmond A. Devlin of Morwell, ALP candidate for McMillan. He is a nephew of Mrs Devlin, Church St Warragul and the late Mr Joseph Devlin.
