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ABC News
ABC News
National
political reporter Tom Lowrey

Anthony Callea, golden wattle and a minute of silence on the cards for tomorrow's national memorial for the Queen

Almost a fortnight after the death of Queen Elizabeth, the country's leaders will gather in Canberra on Thursday to bid the monarch a final farewell. 

A memorial service will be held in the Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra, as the rest of the country is given a public holiday for the National Day of Mourning. 

It will be the first engagement for both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Governor-General David Hurley after attending the Queen's funeral in London.

The service will be broadcast around the country, and will begin with a minute's silence at 11am AEST.

Mr Albanese said he was hopeful the rest of the country would take part.

"As we pay tribute to Her Majesty, I encourage all Australians to reflect on her remarkable life of dedication and service with one minute's silence at 11am," he said.

"Her Majesty had a deep affection with Australia and Australians have remembered her fondly since her passing.

"The Queen lived her life with an air of dignity and grace that will be remembered for centuries to come."

Those putting together the service have attempted to include nods to the Queen's various visits to Australia across her 70-year reign.

Singer Anthony Callea, who performed for the Queen in 2011, will perform at the service alongside the Australian Girls Choir.

Broadcaster Melissa Doyle will be the master of ceremonies.

At the centre of the service will sit a 1954 portrait of the Queen painted by Sir William Dargie, surrounded by golden wattle, sweet peas and dahlias — all among her favourite flowers.

The ceremony's location at Parliament House is also significant, with the Queen having officially opened the building in 1988.

All state and territory leaders will attend the service, along with members of federal parliament, justices of the High Court and a range of Canberra-based foreign diplomats.

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