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.

The photos below were taken at the Civic Reception at the Archibald Memorial and outside the Wentworth Hotel.

Newspaper clipping with thanks to Mike Dinn.
Scan by Colin Mackellar.

The Apollo 11 crew in Sydney, 1st November 1969.

Click here for a full screen version.

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.

The astronauts arrive outside the Wentworth Hotel.

Photo: Colin Mackellar.

Colin Mackellar in the same spot on 6th October 2010.

Buzz Aldrin was speaking at a function in the same Grand Ballroom where the State Luncheon was held in 1969.
Photo: John Sarkissian.

Other photos taken that day

This photograph was taken by a member of the public.

With thanks to Glen Nagle of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Centre.

Glen writes, “I believe the motorcade was heading along Elizabeth Street near Hyde Park.”

Young and old alike gather to catch a glimpse of the history-making Moon Men.

These two photographs – by an unidentified press photographer – really capture the excitement of the moment the Astronauts arrived.

Note the television camera in the top right of the lower photo.

(Does anyone know who took them – or anyone in the photos? Please contact us.)

With thanks to Glen Nagle of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Centre.

The Luncheon at the Wentworth Hotel in Sydney

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.)

The Seating arrangements.

Many well-known Australians were present, as well as key representatives of the Department of Supply and the Tracking Stations.

Click to download a 4.9MB PDF file.

List preserved by Kevyn Westbrook. PDF file created by Colin Mackellar. (The pages were photographed and roughly assembled, hence the variable quality of the images.)
With thanks to Kevyn’s son, John.

Mike Dinn, who was at the Luncheon, made this scan of his copy –

The Astronauts depart Sydney’s 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.

The astronauts’ aircraft departs Sydney’s Kingsford-Smith Airport on Sunday 2nd November 1969.

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 Boeing 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.

Photo: Colin Mackellar.

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