Commonwealth Games mascot Borobi ditching Brisbane for Gold Coast
The city’s much-loved Commonwealth Games mascot Borobi has been languishing in a dark storage room in Brisbane — but Mayor Tom Tate has big plans for the Game cult hit.
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THE city’s much-loved Commonwealth Games mascot Borobi is on the way back to the Gold Coast instead of languishing in a dark storage room in Brisbane.
Mayor Tom Tate has been agitating for the colourful koala to be returned to the city for promotional use after it became a cult hit during the Games in April.
The last remaining wearable Borobi suit has been secured for the city’s use but use of the Borobi brand and trademark is yet to be negotiated.
Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Commonwealth Games Kate Jones confirms in a letter to Cr Tate a mothballed Borobi suit at Queensland Museum is heading back to the Gold Coast.
“Thank you for your letters regarding the transfer of the Borobi suit to the City of Gold Coast and the future use of the Borobi trademark and intellectual property,” she writes in a letter obtained by the Bulletin.
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“I agree that Borobi should continue to be a valuable ambassador for the Gold Coast and Queensland and I am pleased to advise arrangements are being made to transfer the Borobi suit to the city.”
Ms Jones tells Cr Tate the legal ownership of rights over the use of Borobi remains with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
Her letter reveals work is being done to let the Gold Coast use Borobi to promote the city: “The CGF has been advised that the city wishes to negotiate ongoing use of the Borobi brand. Commonwealth Games Australia has agreed to co-ordinate discussions between the city and CGF.
“I’ll continue to provide my support to have the broader rights to Borobi assigned to the city. I wish you well in reaching a suitable agreement with CGF.”
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Cr Tate said yesterday he was “delighted” the Borobi was on its way back: “Kate has the city’s future at heart and it is fantastic she has helped us secure the Borobi costumes.
“Borobi rocked the Gold Coast as a mascot and is still a huge magnet for selfies,” he said of the Borobi statues dotted around the city.
Cr Tate said any brand usage negotiated would be “non-commercial in nature — annual major events, tourism functions, holiday activities, sports and school carnivals”.
“That's where Borobi belongs, not in a box in a dark room.”
Cr Tate said he was confident of getting use of the Borobi brand as it would be promoting Games messages of inclusiveness.
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