A STUNNING opening ceremony took place before Queen Elizabeth II as the Melbourne Cricket Ground played host to thousands of athletes and performers in a riot of colour, action and fireworks. SUNSET: At the start of the Opening Ceremony for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. G'DAY BLUE: Bathed in a eery light, the cricket ground awaits the arrival of the athletes. HOME: The Queen arrives in a black Rolls, a taste of the Mother country in Australia. MEETING: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she stands alongside Prime Minister John Howard. ROYAL: The Queen, Prince Philip and Price Edward mount the viewing platform. DANCE: Hundreds of performers fill the stadium, as the show gets under way. ILLUMINATE: A crown of fireworks tops the Cricket Ground. BIRD'S EYE: A view above the river as fireworks and lasers light the sky. WET: Performers row down the Yarra River as part of the spectacle. SPECTACULAR: More fireworks dapple the night sky above Melbourne. S'TRUTH: This huge inflatable koala was just one of the eye-catching props used at the ceremony. FLY AWAY: A W-Class Melbourne tram, complete with wings arrives for the opening ceremony. CROWDS: Thousands watch big screens in Federation Square during the Opening Ceremony. GOOD LUCK: The England team arrive replete with their crosses of St George. DIVER: England's Tony Ally leads out the England team as they arrive. GOOD LUCK: Then, the Scotland team arrive sporting their traditional kilts.
