commonwealthcelebrations

trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/165295248 - the Sydney Mail, 19th January, 1901...'A Balloon Ascent'... 'One of the most interesting features of the Imperial contingent has been the representation of the Royal Engineers by field telegraph, balloon, pontoon, and other sections. The men were a smart and intelligent body, well officered by Captain Powell and Lieutenant Spieght, and their displays were always most attractive. The realistic Indian fort, and realistic explosions which followed each shot of the field artillery at the fort, were the work of the engineers. The explosions were effected by electrical mines fired by Captain Powell disguised as an Afridi. The balloon section was in the special charge of Lieutenant Spieght, and its working was always of interest. A member of the "Mail" photographic staff went up on one occasion, and the snapshots here reproduced show both the balloon and how the earth looks from a balloon car. One of the pictures gives a bird's-eye view of part of the Agricultural Ground, Moore Park, and the city beyond. Another shows the winding apparatus below which, controls the balloon and the engineers in charge, while a little way off some men of the Black Watch are drilling...'

Wow, fantastic to see this. I worked in George St., Sydney in the 70's, while the Queen Victoria Building was under renovation and all closed up. This looks like the QVB in the background.