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The Spring of 1982 was when Brisbane made its debut on the international stage, hosting the 12th Commonwealth Games at its brand new QEII Stadium in Mt Gravatt. The excitement was palpable at the opening ceremony. A kookaburra’s call broke the silence followed by the cry of ‘Cooee!’ as thousands of children in red, white and blue burst onto the field, enthralling the crowd with creative choreography.

A symphony played traditional Australian songs at the opening ceremony and the nation showcased its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture as well as its multicultural heritage with dance displays. However, it was the roving, waving, fibreglass mascot Matilda who stole the show, famously winking at the Duke of Edinburgh. Here to officially open the Games, the Duke read out the ‘Queen’s Message’, which had been carried in a baton over 15,000 kilometres, all the way from Buckingham Palace to Brisbane.

Queen Elizabeth II officially closed the Games on 9 October 1982 and with the Duke, she was driven around the stadium several times while the Australian team formed a guard of honour running alongside the car. It was considered an iconic moment summing up the spirit of the games.

The official logo, a series of red, white and blue bands, symbolised a bounding kangaroo and at all angles it made an A for Australia. Queen Elizabeth II closed the Commonwealth Games and a special 50-cent piece was minted to memorialise the occasion.