The Apollo 11 astronauts in Sydney
As
part of their world tour, the Apollo 11 Astronauts visited Sydney
on Saturday
1st November 1969.
This clipping from a Sydney newspaper shows the route of the motorcade. Newspaper clipping with thanks to Mike Dinn. |
The Apollo 11 crew in Sydney, 1st November 1969. |
The cover of the Australian weekly news magazine, The Bulletin, 8th November 1969. Scan: Mike Dinn. |
A huge crowd greets the astronauts as their motorcade arrives at Hyde Park in central Sydney. Michael Collins is just visible above the crowd. Photo: Colin Mackellar. |
The astronauts’ motorcade arrives at the podium built in Hyde Park. (The astronauts are hidden behind the crowd on the left.) Photo: Colin Mackellar. |
The astronauts are standing in their car at the centre of the picture. On the left is the special podium built for the day and dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Lawrence Emmet McDermott. The podium has been built on the northern side of the Archibald Fountain, facing north. Photo: Colin Mackellar. This photo was from a point 30 metres east of the podium. |
The astronauts’ are met by Lord Mayor, Lawrence Emmet McDermott. A number of Aldermen of the City of Sydney are also present, including future Lord Mayor Nick Shehadie (later Sir Nicholas Shehadie) looking on at right wearing blue edged robe. Michael Collins is moving out of the frame to the right. At left centre, next to Buzz Aldrin, is US Ambassador to Australia Walter L. Rice. Image from official footage of the visit, courtesy Stephen Slater. Screenshot by Colin Mackellar (who is in the distance behind Ambassador Rice). |
The astronauts are welcomed. (See a high res scan of the podium here.) On the left is part of the Archibald Fountain. David Jones Elizabeth Street department store can be seen at right, just above the loudspeakers. Photo: Colin Mackellar. |
After speeches in Hyde Park, the astronauts were driven to a Luncheon in the Ballroom of the Wentworth Hotel organised by the Australian Government. Here the astronauts pass the Qantas building in Phillip Street. The Wentworth Hotel is the next building on the right (just out of frame). Photo: Colin Mackellar. |
The astronauts sweep past. Neil Armstrong facing the camera, Michael Collins on the right, Edwin Aldrin waving to the crowd. Photo: Colin Mackellar. |
Other photos taken that day
This photograph was taken by a member of the public. |
Young and old alike gather to catch a glimpse of the history-making Moon Men. |
Here’s the commemorative Menu prepared for the Luncheon. Click to download a 1.1MB PDF file. Menu preserved and scanned by Colin Mackellar. (My father helped supply the wine for the luncheon.) |
Mike Dinn, who was at the Luncheon, has scanned the Guest List –
The Astronauts depart Sydneys Kingsford-Smith Airport on Sunday 2nd
November 1969.
The Apollo 11 Astronauts wave at the top of the steps. Note the motorcycle escort at left. Photo: Colin Mackellar. |
Note the lines of police. On the large version, you can see a TV camera on a tripod on the left and airport workers on the far right. This Boeing VC-137B (a modified 707), tail number 86970, was the first jet aircraft to be called Air Force One. President Richard Nixon authorised its use for the Apollo 11 Astronauts goodwill world tour. The aircraft was used as Air Force One until 1972. |