It was out of this world
“EPIC WALK OPENS NEW ERA,” screamed the front page of the Geelong Advertiser. It was Tuesday, July 22, 1969. The previous day astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin had captivated the world as they performed the original and most authentic “moonwalk”.
The moon landing was an event few people who witnessed it would forget.
As the 50th anniversary of that historic moment approaches, the Geelong Advertiser will, next month, reproduce that momentous front page as a keepsake for its readers.
We also want to hear from those who remember the day. Where were you? What did you think at the time? What stands out in your memory?
To share your memories of this historic moment email journo@geelongadvertiser.com.au with the subject heading moon memories.
In the meantime, here are some recollections we’ve gathered from some familiar faces:
PROFESSOR JANE DEN HOLLANDER
Outgoing Deakin University vice-chancellor
“We set up at a coffee club at the church. I was brought up a Catholic and ran the coffee club. I was actually reflecting on that the other night at the (The Moon exhibition at) Geelong Gallery. I remember the night we were all at the coffee club at the church . . . we used to make toasted sandwiches for about 50, 60 of us. And man landed on the moon, and we were all listening on the radio. We switched off the music, and we were all standing over this radio, there were two adults who were there for supervision. We all listened, and Neil Armstrong says, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”, and we all ran outside and looked up, because it must have been around 9, 9.30pm. I remember that to this day.”
IAN COVER
Coodabeen Champion, former Geelong Addy journalist now footy columnist
“I was at Belmont High School in second form (Year 8), and they let us go home for the afternoon to watch it. We had a scratchy old black and white TV, like everyone else in Australia at that time. It was one of those big cabinet-style tellies with a rich timber veneer.
I think it was about lunchtime when my brother Neil — who was in form five or six — and I got home. The sun was streaming in through the window, so we had to close the curtain and attach some cardboard to the side of the TV to block it out.
I remember sitting and waiting for a long time for something to happen, and the coverage itself was anticlimactic in its simplicity; just one camera, one shot. But I was into it.
I was most interested and curious in the event. It was an exciting, historic moment, even if I may not have completely understood the magnitude of it at the time.”
ROSE HODGE
Surf Coast Shire mayor
“I was 10 at the time, so thanks for making me reveal my age! I was at Coburg North Primary School. All the students crowded into the library to watch the landing on Miss Wood’s little black and white telly. I remember there were lots of “ooohs” and “aaahs”.
It was surreal. As a little kid I’d look up at the moon and it was so far away to me, and you’d hear all the stories that it was made of cheese or whatever. To comprehend somebody was up there walking around was almost impossible to comprehend.
It’s difficult to believe it’s almost 50 years ago, and that I’m still yet to see a woman walk on the moon. I think space travel is intriguing, but I also think we should be focusing our money and attention on our planet.”
PETER BEGG
Geelong Advertiser historian, Picture The Past columnist
“I was in Form 3 (Year 9) at Oberon High School, and I remember the teachers sent us home at short notice so we could watch the moon landing. I can’t remember whether they had a TV at the school. If they did it probably wasn’t big enough for hundreds of students to watch, and I’m guessing the teachers were keen to see it as well, so we got the afternoon off.
I was 14, not far off turning 15. My parents worked in those days — my dad had a shop on High St, Belmont — and our place was close to the school, so a few mates came over to our house so we could watch it on TV.
To me it was more of a novelty than a grand occasion, but I do think there was a sense this was the start of a whole new era, and that space travel would develop quickly. Over the years it’s become a bit of a disappointment they haven’t really delivered on that promise.”