The Queen at the Email factory in Orange (1970)
September 9, 2022

By Peter Holmes
Ahead of The Queen's visit to Orange in on April 30, 1970 there had been debate in the town about whether the Email whitegoods factory was the appropriate venue for her to visit, when there were other options such as orchards and medical facilities.
Email, which had formerly been known as Electricity Meter & Allied Industries Ltd, was later broken up and sold off, with Electrolux buying the whitegoods part of the company.

Electrolux closed the Orange factory in 2016 and relocated the manufacturing work to Thailand.
In an interview with the ABC in 2016 a long-time employee at the factory said that The Queen, who died today aged 96, had actually requested to visit a manufacturing business.

She spoke to employees and saw how a range of workers spent their days in different areas on the floor.

The Queen and Prince Philip also signed a visitors' book.

Apprentices formed a guard of honour as she and Prince Philip departed in an open top Rolls-Royce.

The Queen's Diary, April 30, 1970
Orange - Richmond - Sydney
AM
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Orange
Visit Email Factory (Whitegoods factory), Orange
Meet representatives of official and voluntary organisations, Community Hall
PM
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Orange and arrive Richmond
View College Activities, Hawkesbury Agricultural College
Visit St Matthew’s Church of England, Windsor
The Queen opens the Restored Old Government House, Parramatta Park
Travel on Parramatta River from Rydalmere to Circular Quay
Overnight – HMY Britannia
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