A photograph of the late Queen visiting Warragul which appeared on the front page of the Warragul Gazette in March 1954.
Her Majesty is captured smiling on the dais at the Warragul Showgrounds alongside Warragul Shire president Cr G. H Paynter.
As news broke on Friday morning of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, some West Gippsland residents may have fondly recalled being part of the crowd who greeted the Royal Couple in Warragul on Wednesday, March 3, 1954.
The Gazette headline read "What a rousing welcome to the Queen", stating the vast crowd was estimated at about 40,000. Other reports estimated the crowd at 50,000.
"Smilingly acknowledging the roars of cheers and obviously delighted by the sea of children's faces before her, Her Majesty the Queen came to Warragul on Wednesday to give this post of the Empire its biggest day ever," The Gazette reported.
"In great spirits, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh chatted at some length with everyone presented to him and more than once disclosed his keen sense of humour.
"Every moment of the long hours of waiting in the heat and humidity was made worthwhile over and over again by the gracious charm of the Royal Couple. Despite their full, arduous day's programme, the Queen and the Duke were wonderful," the article said.
The Queen and Duke had flown to East Sale airdrome before boarding the Royal Train to meet Sale residents. They visited Traralgon, then Yallourn, before arriving in Warragul at 4.45pm.
The Gazette said many hundreds of people lined the route of the Royal Progress from the railway station to the showgrounds.
"But it was not until the great core of the crowd was reached at the showgrounds that the big demonstration of excited, loyal fervour broke out," the article said.
As their open car passed through the memorial gates, the Queen and Duke smiled and waved in acknowledgment of the cheers of Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies who lined the approach to the trotting track.
The Queen and Duke boarded the train to depart Warragul at 5.25pm.
The museum at the Old Shire Hall features a large photographic display in its foyer capturing the Queen's visit.
It also features a signed letter from the Queen to the shire president thanking citizens of Warragul for their "kind and loyal welcome".
"We have heard how rich this area is and we trust that you will continue to prosper and to produce in abundance the milk and butter which are so important for the well-being of the people," the letter said.
"To you all I give my best wishes for your happiness and future prosperity," the letter concluded, before being signed "Elizabeth R".