Released on February 4, 2004
Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haverstock today presented miniature bronze statues to eleven donors who contributed $10,000 or more to the Queen's Golden Jubilee Statue Project.In honour of the 50th anniversary of the Queen's reign, the province commissioned Saskatchewan sculptor Susan Velder to create a larger-than-life-sized bronze statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II riding her favourite horse, Burmese.
The RCMP presented Burmese to Her Majesty in April 1969. The Queen rode the Canadian black mare in 18 consecutive birthday parades, and she was the only horse Her Majesty rode for the Trooping of the Colour.
The statue will be unveiled in 2005 and will be placed north of the Legislative Building at the south base of the flower garden.
"This monument is made possible through partnerships with many generous and community-minded individuals and organizations," Haverstock said. "This unique project celebrates the remarkable contributions of Canada's Queen and will also commemorate Saskatchewan's centennial."
The province contributed to the cost of creating the Queen's Golden Jubilee Statue with a grant of $50,000 when the project was announced in 2001. Other major donors recognized today were the RCMP, City of Regina, Regina Public Library, Town of Maple Creek, Henry and Agatha Thalheimer, Jacqui Shumiatcher, Ray Frelich, Conexus Credit Union and Galen and Hilary Weston of Toronto.
"We are pleased the province of Saskatchewan was able to contribute to the statue project as it gives the people of this province an opportunity to get in touch with our history — a history in which the monarchy and the RCMP have played such a significant role," Provincial Secretary Joan Beatty said.
The first miniature was unveiled by the Earl of Wessex in June 2003 and will be on permanent display at the Legislative Building. A miniature was also presented to the Queen last October.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Michael Jackson Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs Regina Phone: (306)787-3001 |