This is National Nine News, Brisbane, on relay throughout Queensland.
The spectacle we've waited years to see, the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane,
and from overseas, the Aeroflot crash in Luxembourg.
This is National Nine News.
Good evening, Don Seccombe and Paul Griffin in Brisbane.
After years of preparation, Brisbane this afternoon staged its greatest spectacular,
the opening of the Commonwealth Games at QE2 Stadium.
Wind gusts up to 40 knots played havoc with the ceremony and forced the cancellation of
one of the major attractions, a parachute drop by nine skydivers.
But the thousands of people who packed the stands didn't go away disappointed.
At the QE2 Stadium, the day began with a sunrise, a stiff wind, and a couple of dedicated early
morning athletes.
Around this time, the problem of getting 60,000 spectators and more than 7,000 performers
plus athletes into the complex seemed insurmountable.
But months and months of planning worked superbly.
Traffic flowed smoothly into about 14 car parks around the stadium, directed by about
80 police on point duty.
All side roads were cut off and there was little, if any, holdups.
The gates to the QE2 Stadium opened at 11.30.
A trickle of people began arriving.
An hour later, that trickle had turned into a flood.
Many people took the advice of the Commonwealth Games Foundation and arrived early to have
a picnic lunch in the Games complex.
And the police were everywhere unobtrusively on security duty.
Spectators who didn't want to bring their car caught the train to either the Sunnybank
or the new Benoon railway stations.
From there, buses were lined up to take them to QE2 and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth
Games.
A huge capacity crowd in excess of 60,000 people packed the QE2 Sports Centre at Nathan
for the colourful spectacle as an audience estimated at more than 500 million watched
the rousing ceremony on television throughout the world.
As His Royal Highness Prince Philip arrived to open the Games, amidst a tumultuous welcome,
strong gusty winds swept across the stadium, blowing the slouch hats off some of the military
honour guard.
Then a 21 gun salute sounded and Air Force jets screamed overhead.
A precision display by 6,500 Brisbane school children followed.
Well Michael, for some six months, the 6,500 school children have worked and planned and
that's the result of their planning.
They also formed a huge circle which was to have been the target for a parachuting exhibition
which had to be cancelled because of the high winds.
Somewhat ironically, in view of land rights protests, a group of Aborigines performed
traditional dances.
Then time for a contemporary Australian song.
Suddenly on the track at QE2 to the strain of On the Road to Gundagai, Matilda, the 13
metre symbol of the Brisbane Games.
Out of the pouch jumped 20 young human Matildas, soon bouncing to Rolf Harris.
The crowd joined in for our international anthem, Waltzing Matilda.
The extravaganza over, time for the athletes and officials.
1978 hosts Canada led the way.
There were loud cheers for the Falkland Islands team of two shooters.
More than 40 teams later, the Australians led by Moscow silver medallist Rick Mitchell
of Melbourne.
For another Australian, the memorable recognition of great service on the track in seven Olympic
and Commonwealth Games.
31 year old Raelyne Boyle carrying the Games baton.
In her last international meet, Raelyne completed the 15,000 kilometre journey of the Queen's
message.
The Games provide a wonderful opportunity to cement friendships amongst people who share
a common language, but who might otherwise never have met.
Whether as a medallist on the rostrum or whether you fall in the first round, whether you're
a member of the Federation Council or the leader of a team or simply one who works hard
behind the scenes, I'm sure that all of you will enjoy to the full this special Commonwealth
occasion.
So at 4.20, the 12th Commonwealth Games were officially underway.
Unfurling of the ceremonial flag and release of thousands of pigeons heralded the athletes
oath taken by Brisbane swimmer Tracy Wickham.
We declare that we will take part in the Commonwealth Games of 1982 in the spirit of true sportsmanship,
recognising the rules which govern them and desirous of participating in them for the
honour of our Commonwealth and for the glory of sport.
And the quest for glory starts tomorrow with the first event, bowls at nine o'clock.
John Ross, National Nine News.
Shortly before the Games opening ceremony began, police arrested 28 men and 11 women
when an impromptu illegal black land rights march got within 800 metres of the QE2 stadium.
Police Games commander, Superintendent Ron Redmond, claimed the march was led by southern
black troublemakers and was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the Games.
The arrests were made under the Traffic Act on charges of disobeying a police officer.
Plans for the illegal march were formed by a group of about 40 Aboriginals out of 300
or 400 people camped at Musgrave Park.
None of the formal Aboriginal committees appeared to be involved.
The group travelled in a convoy of cars and a bus to Garden City shopping centre soon
after lunch.
Their plan was to march peacefully to the main game stadium to set up a land rights
picket for the remainder of the Games.
When the march got underway the numbers had swirled to about 300 including many whites.
When police assembled to meet them on Kessels Road, about 800 metres from the Games stadium,
the marchers sat on the roadway in a pre-arranged plan of passive resistance.
First arrests occurred when individual protesters refused police directions to disperse.
The protesters then moved to the footpath where they continued chanting.
Minutes later police again moved in and more arrests followed.
Most of the protesters went peacefully and there appeared to be no violence by either
side.
With most of their leaders locked in police wagons the protest groups straggled back towards
Garden City, closely trailed by police.
A spokeswoman said the group does not recognise white laws which prohibit them marching.
We are marching under Aboriginal law.
This is our country.
We have every right to march in our own country.
Individuals from the group say that despite what happened today they will attempt further
marches and pickets tomorrow and later in the Games.
John Philp for National 9 News.
Earlier today the Duke of Edinburgh presented more than 100 young Queenslanders with his
special gold award at a private but windy ceremony beside the Royal Yacht.
Like all royal occasions this morning's presentation ceremony was perfectly orchestrated.
Several hundred people, mainly families and friends of those about to receive the coveted
Duke of Edinburgh gold award crowded onto the wharf beside the Royal Yacht.
It was originally planned to present the awards on board Britannia but this was changed at
the last moment so that everybody could watch the ceremony.
Unfortunately the move wasn't without its drawbacks.
Strong gusty winds tore across the exposed wharf and while they made a colourful sight
by filling Britannia's flags things weren't exactly comfortable for those watching the
ceremony.
One young lady even lost her hat but it was quickly retrieved by a gallant police officer
in a small boat along with a certificate which also took to the wind.
Both were handed back to their owners by a smiling officer from the Britannia.
Nonetheless the Duke persevered and patiently he presented his gold award to each of 136
young Queenslanders.
The gold medal is awarded for excellence in one of four special categories, expedition,
community service, hobbies and physical recreation.
In Britain awardees go to Buckingham Palace for their presentation but here in Australia
that's obviously not possible so it's a case of waiting until the Duke pays a visit.
Some of these people for instance have waited several years for their presentation.
The Duke is due to spend tonight in the company of the Navy at a special fleet reception at
HMAS Stalwart.
Then tomorrow he flies north to Mackay and onto the township of Middlemount where he's
due to officially open the new German Creek coal mine.
Jason Cameron in Brisbane for National Nine News.
We'll have today's report on the Chamberlain trial in a moment and wild weather in central
New South Wales.
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