A Night to Remember – Frankton’s Coronation Ball, 1953
The year 1953 was one of great national pride and celebration. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay had just reached the summit of Mount Everest, and Queen Elizabeth II had been crowned, marking the beginning of a new royal era for New Zealand and the Commonwealth. It was a time of optimism and ceremony, reflected in events held throughout the country.
This photograph captures the Coronation Ball held at the Frankton Town Hall in 1953. Such balls and festivities were held in towns and cities across New Zealand, with large crowds gathering to celebrate. At the time, it was customary to stand for God Save the Queen at all public events, including at the cinema, and the monarchy held a strong presence in everyday life.
In Hamilton, a civic service was held in Garden Place to mark the coronation. Due to the time difference, the service took place twelve hours before the official event in London, a fitting reflection of New Zealand’s place in the world, both connected and distant.
In the photo, the band is ready on stage, featuring a piano, double bass, violin, piano accordion, and drums. It would no doubt have been a memorable evening, one of many moments of national celebration in a remarkable year.
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