When Matilda’s iconic wink stole the Commonwealth Games in 1982

Australians are renowned lovers of sports and with the Commonwealth Games kicking off on the Gold Coast on Wednesday, Aussies will no doubt be hoping the Opening Ceremony shows off the best our nation has to offer.

With world-class athletes, thousands of spectators and Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in attendance, Games organisers will need to pull out the big guns if they want to make an impact around the world.

That said, it will be hard to beat Brisbane’s Opening Ceremony when the Queensland city hosted the Games in 1982. Who could forget Matilda the Kangaroo, the giant mascot that became a celebrity in her own right?

The 13-metre-tall mascot became one of Australia’s most recognisable faces, so to speak, during the games. Taking to the stadium, it was hard to miss the giant kangaroo as she made her way onto the field, much to the delight of screaming fans.

Weighing more than six tonnes, the crowd watched in complete awe as Matilda moved her head back and forth as she paraded the stadium. The most memorable moment of all was when she turned to the crowd and gave a cheeky wink to the audience.

Spectators will be hoping that old Matilda makes a comeback at Wednesday night’s Games, the first to be held in Australia since 2006. Shortly after the 1982 Games, Matilda was erected as an attraction at Wet’n’Wild Water World on the Gold Coast.

These days, the only way to catch a glimpse of Matilda in all her glory is to visit the Queensland town of Gympie. Matilda Fuel Supplies purchased the kangaroo in 2009 and she now stands proudly at one of the town’s biggest service stations. Close to 100,000 people now visit the centre and Matilda each month.

Meanwhile, details surrounding Wednesday’s ceremony have been kept a closely guarded secret from the public, although it is expected some of Australia’s biggest performers will be part of the ceremony. At the Melbourne Games in 2006, Queen Elizabeth II was spotted giving singer Delta Goodrem a standing ovation after she belted out Together.

This year’s Games begin on Wednesday and run all the way through to April 15, with more than 6,600 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations competing at various sporting events on the Gold Coast and around Queensland. 

Do you remember Matilda at the 1982 Commonwealth Games? Will you be tuning into the Opening Ceremony and the other sporting events?