40 years on from Comm Games, Matilda’s still delighting fans

It was a “defining moment” for Brisbane - now 40 years on it is time to reflect. TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Tyson Clark and Sarah Goulopoulos with son Harry, 3, next to 1982 Commonwealth Games Icon Matilda at the Traveston Service Station on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Lachie Millard

It was a “defining moment” for Brisbane and the birthplace of one of the greatest mascots to ever grace Australian shores - now 40 years on, it is time to reflect on the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

For some, it will seem like just yesterday, but for many, especially those who drive through Gympie, the larger than life Matilda is a launching point for a discussion on a time when the world’s eyes turned towards the Sunshine State, long before they were born.

Brisbane’s 1982 Commonwealth Games were officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on September 30, but most Australians remember the games as the birthplace of a national mascot and identity.

Queen, Matilda and Lisa Curry: 1982 Brisbane Comm Games in pictures

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Standing at 13 metres high, Matilda the Kangaroo towered over the QEII Stadium and won fans when she famously winked at spectators, before 20 children dressed as joeys ran from her pouch onto the athletics track.

Australia won 39 gold and 107 medals at the Games, including some historic moments such as Rob de Castella’s marathon win and Lisa Curry-Kenny’s three golds in the pool.

Matilda is now on display at a petrol station near Gympie, surprising and delighting travelling tourists and locals alike.

The little "Joeys" in the Matilda mascot at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at QEII stadium.

“My family is from Western Australia and we had some friends over from Canada so we had to stop in and say hello,” Brisbane man Tyson Clark said.

“I actually worked at the 2006 and 2018 Australian Commonwealth Games so to see the history of Matilda is really awesome, and everyone remembers her and the joeys so it’s great to see her!”