Commonwealth Games showstopper mothballed in shed

THE surprise star of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony is now somewhat deflated — a far cry from the 1982 Brisbane mascot, Matilda, that still enjoys fame as a tourism icon.

White Whale Migaloo during the Opening Ceremony for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

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THE surprise star of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony is gathering dust in a storage shed.

The giant, inflatable Migaloo that left a worldwide audience both captivated and confused during the polarising entertainment spectacular is now somewhat deflated, with its future uncertain.

Unlike Matilda — the 1982 Brisbane mascot that still enjoys fame as a quirky Queensland tourism icon — the blow-up whale is unlikely to ever find a permanent home.

Designed exclusively for the Games opening ceremony, Migaloo’s materials would not stand up to the rigours of life exposed to the elements and its gigantic size also restricts the options of where it could call home.

The blimp-type structure is almost 30m long, 8m high and 8m wide when inflated and requires a team of 24 ­people to operate in any performance or maintain in a static position.

Migaloo floats above the stadium during the opening ceremony but it’s now gathering dust in a shed. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Migaloo remains the property of Jack Morton Worldwide, the entertainment company responsible for the controversial opening and closing ceremonies at the Games.

Representing the famous albino humpback that has been spotted several times off the Gold Coast during his annual migration, the Commonwealth Games’ Migaloo floated majestically over dancers and athletes at the opening ceremony, making a number of cameo appearances during proceedings.

Jack Morton Worldwide yesterday did not respond to phone calls or emails for comment on what plans they have for Migaloo.

However, a Games insider said it would not cope well with wind or rain, ruling out any attempt for a permanent outdoor home.

The inflatable’s uncertain fate is in stark contrast to ­Matilda, the cheeky winking kangaroo, which still attracts tourists more than three decades after her star turn at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. For years, Matilda stood proudly outside the gates of the Gold Coast water park now known as Wet’n’Wild before she was later relocated to a number of Queensland service stations.

She still attracts curious visitors at the Puma Kybong service station on the Sunshine Coast.

The legacy of Borobi also seems more assured, with several statues of the loveable Gold Coast Games mascot set to remain in place around the city for years to come.

A Borobi Trail has also become a lasting legacy for the Games mascot.