The Queen says Australia has grown into a prosperous, energetic and dynamic nation that should be proud of its economic and academic achievements despite the devastation caused by disaster and war.
The 85-year-old British monarch has given a brief speech at Canberra's Parliament House tonight, where she and the Duke of Edinburgh were welcomed as the guests of honour at a special government reception.
Her Majesty has told the crowd she has watched Australia develop at a rapid pace since first visiting in 1954.
She says Australia has flourished and achieved excellence on the world stage, highlighting the achievements of Canberra astronomer Brain Schmidt, who recently co-won the Nobel Prize for Physics.
The Queen said Australia's economic record, in the face of the global financial crisis, was another notch on the belt.
