Birrell, Sheed pay respects to Queen’s service

“Her devotion to duty, service and decency provided an example for us to follow. Her commitment to the Commonwealth and to Australia was evident throughout her reign and on her 16 official visits to our shores.

“Many still fondly remember the Royal Tour in 1954 that included stops on Benalla, Shepparton, Tatura, Echuca and Rochester, the first Australian visit by a reigning monarch.”

Mr Birrell said the public could send their condolences via his office.

“A condolence book is being set up in my office in Shepparton for those who wish to record their own thoughts on the life of Queen Elizabeth the second.”

State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed said Queen Elizabeth II was a uniting force for the nation.

“There’s a sense of sadness after such a long period of mourning,” Ms Sheed said.

“She’s been Queen all my life, like most other people.

“She’s had an extraordinary life and lived through an extraordinary period and she’s had ups and downs at different times with family and I think a lot of people can relate to her.”

Ms Sheed said the link to Shepparton was still strong, despite being more than six decades ago.

“I think that connection going way back is still there, and other royals have visited at other times so there’s a strong link and a lot of respect for her service.”

Victorian MPs will need to be re-sworn in in the next two weeks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes from politicians at a national level on Friday morning.

"Her Majesty celebrated our good times and she stood with us during trials and hardships, happy and glorious," Mr Albanese said in a televised address on Friday morning.

"Throughout her reign Queen Elizabeth II showed her deep affection for our country.“

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the world had not seen a more "dutiful leader" or "decent human" than the Queen.

"That extraordinary life which touched so many has sadly come to an end," he said.

With AAP