DUKE ARRIVES IN MELBOURNE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 22

DUKE ARRIVES IN MELBOURNE

Vociferous Welcome From Gay Crowds CN.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 22. Under skies that were blue for the first time in weeks, the Duke of Edinburgh drove into Melbourne today to open the 1956 Olympic Games. Wearing the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, the Duke looked suntanned and happy as he waved to the wildly-cheering crowd that lined tjte eight miles of flag-decorated streets leading to the Melbourne Town Hall from the airport. The Royal Australian Air Force plane which flew him from Canberra landed at Melbourne airport precisely on time. Almost all work stopped at the busy airport as workers there joined the spectators as the Governor of Victoria (Sir Dallas Brookes) and Lady Brookes, and the Premier (Mr Henry Bolte) and Mrs Bolte greeted the Duke. At the airport the Duke inspected a guard of honour, and then strode across the tarmac with Mr Bolte at his heels. He suddenly shortened his stride, looked at the 58 persons lined up to receive him, and swung his head round to Mr Bolte, saying loudly, with a smile: "Do I have to shake hands with all of them? Mr Bolte replied: "Maybe not all of them.”

But the Duke then moved forward and did the job properly. He not only shook hands with everyone, but had a few seconds’ chat with each. After the formal presentation he stood on the tarmac for a moment, waved to the children, who cheered loudly and delighted' and spoke briefly to Sir Dallas Brooks. He then entered an open car and headed towards the city. The city was jammed with a gay crowd which roared its approval as the Duke of Edinburgh, replying to -an address of welcome from the Lord Mayor (Sir Frank Selleck) said: "I am looking forward to seeing something of the Olympic Games. I am especially delighted because they have given me the opportunity to come back here again.” There was renewed cheering as the car drove along tree-lined St. Kilda road to Government House.