Orroral Valley Tracking Station, ACT
Photos of the Opening Ceremony, 24th February 1966
To Commemorate the Opening Ceremony, members of the official party were presented with a souvenir photo album, apparently produced by the Department of Supply.
This copy belonged to Lloyd Bott, Deputy Secretary Department of Supply. It was scanned by Colin Mackellar – with thanks to Michael Bott, Glen Nagle and Mike Dinn.
If anyone can help identify the men who aren’t named in these photos, I would be very grateful.
There are several who look very familiar! Contact.
(April 2013: I have now identified US Congressman George P. Miller (California) 1891–1982,
thanks to a reference by Senator Henty at the opening of Honeysuckle Creek.)
PDF version of the VIP Souvenir Photo Album. (2MB.) The last 8 photos were taken at Tidbinbilla, Honeysuckle, and at a Dinner. |
The Photos from the book – at higher resolution
(including several from Tidbinbilla and Honeysuckle taken the same day.)
The title page. |
Page 1. |
Page 2. |
Page 3. |
Page 4. |
Page 5. |
Page 6. Note the can of ‘Aerogard’ (insect repellent) on the floor behind NASA’s Edmond Buckley (second from right). |
Page 7. |
Page 8. |
Page 9. |
Page 10. |
Page 11. |
Page 12. |
Page 13. |
At Tidbinbilla
Page 14. With thanks to Mike Dinn for help with identification. |
Page 15. On the noticeboard are pinned images from the recent Mars flyby of Mariner IV. |
Page 16. |
At Honeysuckle Creek
Page 17. Looking from above the car park – the antenna was being built to the left of the photographer’s position. See also the clearing for the Collimation tower (not yet erected) in the distance at right. |
Page 18. Left to right: Note the builders offices of T H O’Connor, the Department of Works contractor. This hut was built in what was later the car park. With thanks to Tom Reid for help with identification. |
Page 19. At Honeysuckle Creek. |
Dinner
Page 20. Is that Oysters on the menu? |
Page 21. |
Page 22. |
(Larger versions of most of these are available.)