The Melbourne skyline was a blaze of fireworks to mark the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Over 80,000 people attended the Melbourne Cricket Ground to view the ceremony and hear Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, declare the Games open.
Many important dignitaries, including Prime Minister John Howard and Prince Edward were welcomed to the event, before the arrival in a black Rolls Royce of the guest of honour, Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by Prince Philip.
The ceremony included traditional flag raising and singing of the Australian nation anthem, as well as a suprise rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ by opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa for the Queen who celebrates her 80th birthday in April.
The ceremony started with a flying tram descending from the top of the MCG and landing in the centre of a massive circular white stage and unloading hundreds of singing and dancing performers.
The show featured a little boy and his toy duck on a magical journey through a dreamlike version of Melbourne featuring acrobatic multi-sized koalas, giant winged creatures and dancing children.
Aboriginal culture was also highlighted with a group of Victorian community elders and traditional owners draped in possum skin coats.
For the first time in the history of the Games, the athletes entered the stadium by regions of the Commonwealth.
The Queen’s Baton made its way along the Yarra River into the MCG where it was carried by former Olympians Cathy Freeman, Ron Clarke, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, and John Landy who presented it to the Queen
The ceremony finished with an incredible performance by singer Delta Goodrem of a new song written for the games entitled ‘Together We Are One’
The Opening Ceremony was watched by more than 100,000 people along banks of the Yarra. An estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide also tuned in to the spectacular start of the famous sporting event.
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