led by representatives of the mother country herself.
From New Zealand comes a sturdy band.
From other dominions and colonies.
From India they come.
And from Canada, a team of athletic stars behind the Maple Leaf banner.
The flag of Canada as the Parade of Nations begins here at the opening ceremony for the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
Canada, the host nation for the last Commonwealth Games, led by their flag bearer John Crimrose.
John Crimrose, the competitor of the World Championships in 1981 at 75 and also a man who's competed at three Commonwealth Games.
The biggest team here for the Games this year, 181 men and 61 women who'll compete in all 10 sports.
And of course the Canadians, the team to beat again, absolutely brained the opposition last time out at Edmonton when they took most medals, 109.
And the swimming team will definitely be the team for the Australians to beat at the Chandler Complex.
Canadians getting a tremendous invasion.
The West Indies, the team for Barbados.
Their flag bearer is June Caddell, 23-year-old physical education instructor.
Barbados, famous for its rum and cricketers are the calibre of cigar-filled savers.
So Frank Worrell and let's hope some great athletes at these Games.
And the team now from Bermuda.
And their famous Bermuda shorts.
From Cypress, a team of 14, four of them are shooters and there are seven athletes, including one female long jump.
The sole female is Maria Tumodi.
Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh taking the large-class salutes.
And now a huge cheer goes up from the Curie 2 Stadium as the English team move into the main straight.
Led by their flag bearer, Philip Hubbell, who's a swimmer, he's 22 years old.
He competed at the 1980 Olympics where he won a silver medal in the 200m butterfly.
And the longest swimming team in the world.
And the team for the British team, the British team.
And the team for the 1980 Olympics where he won a silver medal in the 200m butterfly.
And the longest serving member of the swim team.
And he's the first swimmer to ever carry the flag for the England team at a Commonwealth Games.
The England team, of course, at the last Games in Edmonton did extremely well for his second overall with a total of 86 medals.
I suppose, Mike, the big disappointment for all of us up here at the Games is the fact that Steve Ovet and Sebastian Coan are down there with the team.
They still give plenty of cheek because they have a great world champion in there, the Catholic, Daley Thompson, who was to have carried the flag today but declined.
Because he figured that it might be a bit arduous in the sun.
Here's the team everyone's been waiting for, the team from the Falkland Islands.
A team of two from the Falkland Islands and both of them are shooters.
And there's the cheer for the Falkland Islanders.
Very close to the England side too.
Two shooters, Tony Peterson and Gerald Peake.
And Gerald is just happy to be here because during the war he feared for his life.
And he spent seven weeks under house arrest.
Now, the team from Fiji.
And the Fijian standard bearer, you see in there, his name is Quaithe Reddick.
He's a weightlifter and his nickname is Earthquake.
The Fijian officials have been having trouble with the team.
They've been spending too much time watching television.
There's none back in Fiji and they've sat there for hours and hours all day and late into the night.
They're watching wide world of sports.
From Hong Kong now, the team led by the standard bearer, George A. Sousa.
He's a lawnmower, takes part in the pairs.
And was very successful at the Edmonton 1978 Games.
He's in the singles there, he's been on world tours, he holds 19 national titles.
74 members in the team from Hong Kong, 56 men and 18 women, including table tennis, which of course this year is going to be an exhibition sport.
The colourful turbans and saris of the Indian team led by standard bearer, Karuna Karan.
A weightlifter and a gold medal winner from 1978.
The late control from the Indian team is their swim star, Bula Chowdhury.
She has a viral infection and she's had to pull out.
Swimming in the rivers in India, I'm not surprised by that.
From the sunny Isle of Jamaica to the sun here in Brisbane, the team from Jamaica.
Their flag bearer, David Weller, a student who was in California, now lives in Jamaica and he will make his presence felt on the cycling tracks here and the sprints.
He won a bronze in 1978 and 1980 at the Olympics.
21 members, 14 competitors.
And the host is their great star after 33-year-old Don Quarry.
One of the greatest swimmers of modern times, a gold medalist at 1970, 1970.
1979 and 74 and 1978 in the 100 metres and the 200 metres in 70 and 74.
The Channel Isles of Jersey.
The team, 12 members of them led by flag bearer Tony Kornik.
He's a cyclist too, 23 years of age.
And a very big cheer will go up now as we welcome the team from New Zealand.
There's their flag bearer, Robin Tate, who specialises in the discus.
He won gold in 1974.
He's competed at six games since Perth.
He's now 42 years old.
113 competitors.
Yes, and Robin Tate's already planning to go to the next games, the 1986 games in Edinburgh.
John Walker would be one of their stars again this year, mate.
Certainly would be.
He'll be up against Steve Pram and Michael Arden in the middle distance events.
And that's Merrilee Fairhall, an archer, a paraplegic.
She trains in a pool for relaxation and she's a leading medal prospect again.
She's regarded as the number two archer in the Commonwealth.
Yes, and here comes Chappell.
Everything depends on him now.
The team's short by 50 and Chappell has to get it and get it very quickly.
He's facing up now.
And here he goes.
First his Metropolitan Cash Card.
Now his secret number.
And now the fast 50 button.
And there it is, $50 in a matter of seconds.
What a hit.
Cash Card Tellers for cash card holders with the exclusive fast 50 button.
What a hit from Metropolitan Permanent, looking after you seven days a week.
How can you tell which exterior house paint is the right one for you?
Well, you can start with the finish.
Is it tough enough to take the pounding of Australia's heavy weather?
Taubmans all-weather house paint is climate formulated to give you the protection you need where you live.
So its unique look of freshness lasts and lasts for years.
Taubmans all-weather house paint.
You can tell it's Taubmans.
Come along and sing along to the great new series of Australian sing-along glasses now at Hungry Jacks.
The man from Snowy River, where the dog sits on the tucker box with me spag all on me shoulder along the road to Gundagai.
A new glass each week.
Buy a whopper, regular fries and regular drink at Hungry Jacks for just $2.99 and receive your sing-along glass.
Start collecting now.
The great new series of Australian sing-along glasses.
Going for a song at Hungry Jacks.
You must see Koala Kingdom, Brisbane's world unique Koala colony situated at beautiful Bunya Park.
At Koala Kingdom see Monarch, King Kolo, the maternity section with its specialised services and even a Koala kindergarten.
Bunya Park provides a magic blend of Australia's gentle marsupials and birds in harmony with people.
You must visit beautiful Bunya Park and its Koala Kingdom.
You must visit beautiful Bunya Park and its Koala Kingdom.
Hello, tonight on the program a full coverage of the opening, the official opening of the 12th Commonwealth Games in Brisbane by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Many thousands of people were at the QE2 stadium to see all the many years of work, the many millions of dollars that have gone into the making of Brisbane's finest hour,
the greatest moment in the history of Brisbane City and we had a couple of camera crews there to bring you all the glamour and excitement.
One of our stories tonight at half past six on Today Tonight here on nine. I hope you can join us.
From Nigeria, 47 members of this team led by their flag bearer Samson O'Yaludin.
By golly, after these fellas can fight, they've had some great fighters down through the years, people like Hogan Kidbassy.
And talking of Hogan Kidbassy, they've got a weightlifter, a 19 year old boy and his name is Ironbar Bassy.
It's not a nickname, that's the name he was christened with. His mother thought he was big enough to be called that the moment he arrived.
And the team now, passing the saluting dais, is from Northern Ireland.
Carrying the flag is Angela Goodall, an archer, 21 year old civil servant from just outside Belfast.
She was second in the world in field archery just two weeks ago and British champion in 1981.
And she was chosen because it's the International Women's Year in Sport. 74 members of the Northern Ireland team.
They have five swimmers who've been training in Bordeaux in France because there's no 50 metre pool at all in Northern Ireland.
So they've whipped them over the channel and they've been doing their preparation in France.
Carrying the traditional green of Ireland, the men anyway, the women are very colourful, crimson and white.
And needless to say, plenty of good fighters in there too. Their men's team has high hopes in the boxing ring.
And now the team from Papua New Guinea. Again, very colourful uniforms. Their flag bearer is Taujong Tokwepata.
He's going to take part in the 10,000 metres in the marathon. 55 members of the Papua New Guinea team will take part in boxing, weightlifting, athletics, shooting and bowls.
Yes, one of their oldest, or the oldest competitor is one of their three lady bowlers, but she refuses to give her age.
The ladies bowls for the first time ever. We'll see ladies bowls in these Commonwealth Games after 52 years.
And some of the ladies are being very, very wary about giving their ages away.
From Santa Ana, a small team, three members of the team. There are two men and one woman who will take part in athletics and swimming.
Their flag bearer, Gavin Knight, a swimmer only 19 years old. He'll be in the 100 metres, 200 metres freestyle.
At the next Games, after Brisbane of course, in Edinburgh, here's the nation that will then be host, Scotland.
Their flag bearer, John Hymn from Eppner, who's in the weightlifting. He's 41 years old. He's got a good job. He's brought by Incoup Breweries.
This is his fifth Commonwealth Games, John McNevin. But of course the star of the Scottish team, Alan Wells, the gold medalist from Moscow in the 100 metres.
And they've also got a high hopes in the boxing ring again with aspirants like Joe Rocky Kelly, the 18 year old flyweight.
125 members of the Scottish team who look very happy now that they've fixed up their accommodation.
Now the team from Trinidad and Tobago.
This home of great cricketers like Derek Barry and great athletes like their flag bearer, Hazelie Crawford.
What about Wales? Another of the bigger teams and certainly a colourful one with those very red jackets and their great slacks for the men.
Women in their grey skirts and red jackets. A team of 97. 65 of them are competitors, 80 men and 70 women.
Their oldest competitor is 57 year old Lord Swansea who has competed in every games in the shooting since 1966 when he took out the gold medal.
Actually his eyesight isn't what it used to be but nonetheless we wish him well.
He's not a real Lord but he's Nickname Lord isn't he? Because he acts like one.
And now the moment we've all been waiting for. The team from Australia.
And you'll hear the cheers of the crowd. They're getting a standing ovation.
The crowd here at QE2 rises to its feet to welcome the Australian team.
Tracy Wickham expected to get gold.
And she, a little lady, will be taking the oath of amateurism.
265 in the team, 145 men and 66 women.
Lady Bowlers for the first time here at Brisbane. Listen to the crowd as they welcome them down the main straight.
The lady Bowlers of course having been cleared after that amazing sex test. The oldest of them, Kat Smith, 62 and she's proud to reveal her age she tells me.
Mothers and grandmothers and they give them the sex test. That's right, 24 children and grandchildren between them.
Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, his wife Tammy, waving to the athletes.
They came here to win and they're certainly doing that. Now Chandler's 55 stores join in the spirit to present a march past of winning values.
AWA 3-in-1 stereo systems with AM FM radio and two-speed automatic turntable only $409.
Akai Deluxe stereo hi-fi systems with three-way speakers and 22 watts per channel power output just $7.99.
So join me in the winning circle at Chandler's.
Ready?
Ever ready?
Ready?
Ready?
One hour.
Quick as a Flash are now conveniently located throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
One of Australia's favourite Royals had the honour of officially opening the Games. For the Duke of Edinburgh, welcomed so magnificently to Brisbane yesterday, it was a labour of love.
And the Duke's popularity was never so evident as when he arrived at the stadium.
And the crowd at the QE2 stadium rises as the car carrying his Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrives for the official opening of the 12th Commonwealth Games.
A little ceremony that will take place as soon as the Duke's car comes to the official dais.
The flags for the past, present and future hosts of the Commonwealth Games will be broken over the scoreboard.
We'll see those flags in just a few moments.
The children in the background are the children who will take part in the very colourful display which will mark the opening of the 12th Commonwealth Games.
Some 6,500 of these school children have been practising and practising and practising for almost eight months.
Look at those kids waving and cheering, eh?
The Royal car arrives in front of the Royal Guard of Honour.
He's a magnificently preserved man, the Duke Arthur, isn't he? He's a bit like ourselves.
Amazing the way he weathers.
Jigping introduced to the official party.
Now the commander of the Royal Guard will invite his Royal Highness to inspect the guard.
And here's the Queen's relay.
The Queen first represented Australia in 1970 at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. She collected two gold medals for the 100m and 200m sprint events. Her medal tally now is six gold and one silver at the Commonwealth Games and two silver at the Olympics.
She dearly loved to make this her retirement Commonwealth Games, an occasion of yet another gold medal.
And there she holds the baton which in and of itself is a work of art. Two Aboriginal implements, the Nullar Nullar and the Message Stick were influences in its unique design.
Nullar Nullars as we know were used as fighting clubs by the Aborigines and the Message Sticks as the name suggests were carved with symbols representing messages and were carried by the messages between the tribes.
This baton has been carried further than any other or any games. It's covered over 15,000km by road and air.
Standing ovation for Australia's favourite lady of athletics, Raleigh Boyle as she approaches his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
She has to explain exactly how it comes apart.
There's the message from Her Majesty the Queen.
Your Royal Highness, may it please you to read Her Majesty the Queen's message and declare these 12th Commonwealth Games open.
On the 24th of June, just over three months ago, I entrusted this message to the first of the Queen's relay runners in London. Since then it has travelled nearly 18,667 miles and passed through 3,219 hands, visiting on its way every state in Australia.
It's 52 years since the first Games were entrusted to Hamilton in Canada and this is the third time that they've been held in Australia.
As Queen of Australia, I warmly welcome you and look forward to joining you in a few days' time.
I know that all Australians wish you good fortune and happiness during your visit for which you have prepared and trained so hard.
Enthusiasm for sport is a well-known characteristic of Australians and the presence in this stadium of so many competitors shows that this enthusiasm is shared throughout the Commonwealth.
I congratulate all those who have been responsible for staging the Games in this wonderful setting.
The Games are a highlight in our Commonwealth calendar. We are a voluntary association of many friendly nations, well represented in Brisbane.
But it is not the number that matters, rather the friendliness. 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 medalist on the rostrum or whether you fall in the first round, whether you are 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.
By the time I see you, I'm sure you will have already gained the happiest of memories of Brisbane and of the 1982 Commonwealth Games, which I have asked Prince Philip as your President on my behalf to declare open.
The Commonwealth Games ceremonial flag will now remain flying until the Games are over, but it will be lowered during the closing ceremony.
With the 12 gun salute, we'll see the release of thousands of pigeons symbolising the 12th Commonwealth Games and the 12th occasion of the gathering of competitors from the countries of the Commonwealth.
The first Games of course held in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930 and here we are in Brisbane in 1982 for the 12th Commonwealth Games.
There we are, the Games officially opened and Prince Philip looking particularly fit there. I must say he always looks like he's enjoying himself.
Certainly a very popular figure in Australia. Well, that was the official part of the opening ceremony, but we've got a treat in store.
In a few moments we'll be bringing you the most lavish display ever staged in Australia's sporting history.
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Splendiferous. Where else?
See the spectacular performance of the Royal Spanish Dancing Stadiums.
Accelerating. Exciting. Enchanting. Enchanting.
All the splendour and colour of Spain, the ballet of the White Stallions.
With ten other fabulous animal shows to entertain and delight the whole family.
At Andalusia Park, the spit main beach on the Gold Coast.
What a dine!
Smells great!
Look at that!
Deflect the shields activated. Lasers reaching full power.
Appears to engage enemy.
Radar approaching from point of three, warp five.
Mutants arranged. Full fire!
Direct hit, sir!
Where'd they come from?
Increased power!
Prepare to evade!
Sustain damage!
It's your turn.
Astro Wars and mini arcade at Good Stores now. You'll have to be quick from grandstand.
Tonight, Doris Day is a very merry widow.
With the sort of house and family no one wants to own.
And this is Brian Keith.
He's got his eye on Doris because he's a bachelor.
Are you having an affair with Mrs. McClure?
Do you think you're a little old to be carrying on like this?
You could get in trouble, you know.
There's a man in mommy's bed!
The only thing they seem to agree on is that with six you get egg roll.
Tonight, 8.30 on Channel 9.
I know I said the display this afternoon was lavish, but I guess I could be accused of selling it short.
Anyway, make up your own mind. But for my money, it was one of the best displays I've had the pleasure to witness.
The commentators, Mike Gibson and Arthur Higgins.
Well Michael, for some six months, the 6,500 school children have worked and planned, and that's the result of their plan.
It's an absolutely astonishing spectacle, which was worked out well with placards and banners on a scale of 100 to 1 on a model using 7mm square magnets to represent the children and other magnets to represent the banner children.
And there's the Duke. I mean, you could not fail to be impressed.
The Commonwealth Games symbol comes alive as the children at both ends of the Australian flag wave red, white and blue scarves and handkerchiefs.
Now, they start to break up and make another display.
Yes, no computers were used to work out these formations. They're all mathematically calculated over a series of three months by the executive producer Rick Burch and his assistants.
And it's no surprise to me to notice that Rick Burch is a great fan of Busby Berkeley.
Now, marching girls from all parts of Queensland are moving on to the outside of the track from one end of the QE2 stadium.
They will form into position just outside the display.
Now, from the other end of the QE2 stadium comes a march past to life-saving clubs from right around the coast of Queensland.
And another rather unusual sight still, Michael, to see girls in the life-saving teams.
That's right. That's a pretty useful marching girl there. And as you say, only in recent years have the girls been admitted to the life-saving movement and they do us proud.
There's the circle formed now. In the background you can see the corral, the Queensland corral.
There it is. Completion of this section of the display.
At this point in the display, ladies and gentlemen, we have hope that nine life-savers and the marching girls have vacated the arena.
Unfortunately, in the present unfavourable weather conditions, this jump could not be made in safety and we've decided not to proceed with the parachutist's part of the display.
Would all schoolchildren stand by now for the music?
Well, the announcement has just been made that, unfortunately, due to very high winds over the stadium, that the parachutist's drop will not go ahead on the opening display today.
That was the reason for that huge circle in the centre of the ground.
The parachutist were to drop right into the centre of that, but because of winds, that will not take place.
And now we have a very special part of the opening ceremony as groups from the various ethnic centres will move into the centre circle in the centre of the QE2 stadium and they will bring us a display of national dances.
Yes, winds have been gusting up to 50 knots here and we're not surprised that the skydivers have pulled out because I feel that had they jumped, they may well have landed at surface paradise.
Now, in the centre of the circle, a group of Aboriginal dancers.
I'm not too sure of that chant after I have been climbing that spot of land out there in the middle.
Well, after a very colourful display of music and dancing from the various ethnic groups, the 17 groups combined to present for us a very familiar song.
I still call Australia home.
I still call Australia home.
I'm always standing, my love, we're in free.
And so I keep believing the sun and the sea.
But my heart lies waiting, oh, my love, I still call Australia home.
All the sons and daughters sing of the world, away from their family and friends.
But as the world gets older and colder, it's good to know that your journey ends.
And someday we'll all be together once more, when all of the sheets come back to the shore.
I realise something, my love, is done, I still call Australia home.
I still call Australia home.
Australia home.
When you're there without a care, don't forget that little thing, do the right thing.
Do your part and do it smart with everything you bring.
Do the right thing. Do the right thing.
Take a rock trip. 18 original hits on Rock Trip 82.
Simple Minds, Adam Ant, Joey Scarberry.
Roxy Music's more than this.
Eurogliders, Dr Hook's Baby Makes a Blue Jeans Tour.
Men at Work and John Cougar's Hurt So Good.
18 original hits on Rock Trip 82.
Roxy Music's more than this.
Ossie Pass is your ticket for go as you please coach travel.
Ossie Pass, ride the great country.
What a colourful country ours is.
Premier acknowledged the fact beautifully in their slimline Venetians.
With the Premier collection of special colours for your home.
Something from our colourful past, exciting gold.
Soft creature colours.
Gum trees and history.
And a garden of brilliant flower colours.
All for Premier Slimlines.
Premier will be delighted to help you choose something individual from the Premier collection.
They're so proud to be part of your home.
And there's a sight that has really got the crowd stirred.
The sight of Matilda, the game's symbol, as she enters the QE2 stadium for a very thrilling part of this display.
Yes, they promised us the most memorable spectacle ever mounted in Australia, the game's organisers.
And I don't think anybody here could possibly argue that they've done.
13 metres high, Matilda.
To the strains of one of Australia's most famous songs by the late Jack O'Hagan.
The Road to Gundergaur.
And believe it or not, Matilda has a surprise for you.
Here they come.
Walt Disney, eight year harder.
Twenty young trampolinists.
And out they come. And here he is, the king of the afternoon, Ralph Harris.
Tiny kangaroo down, sport. Tiny kangaroo down.
Can I welcome you to the games, friends? Welcome you to the games.
Look, I don't know all of your names, friends, but let me welcome you all to the games all together.
Tiny kangaroo down, sport. Tiny kangaroo down. Tiny kangaroo down, sport. Tiny kangaroo down.
Let's hear you. Tiny kangaroo down, sport. Tiny kangaroo down.
Tiny kangaroo down, sport. Tiny kangaroo down. Tiny kangaroo down. Clark.
Rob Harris.
Now perhaps an even better known song.
Wherever you are in the world, there's one song that more than any other says Australia.
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong under the shade of a cool about tree.
And he sang as he watched and he waited till his billy boiled. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
What sing Matilda, what sing Matilda. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
Down came a jumper come to drink at that billy ball. Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee.
And he sang as he sewed that jumper in his tug of air. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
Wait for the key change.
What sing Matilda, what sing Matilda. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
And he sang as he sewed that jumper in his tug of air. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
What sing Matilda, what sing Matilda. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled. You'll come oh what sing Matilda with me.
60,000 balloons that took 120 people something like five or six hours to blow up this morning.
And Michael, how they ever stayed here with the wind that's been blowing over this stadium I don't know.
Well about 500 we saw got loose earlier and they headed out very quickly.
And you can see the still the force of that westerly there. They're going to disappear pretty quick those balloons.
Well what a fantastic display this has been. As I said they promised us this would be the most memorable spectacle ever presented in Australia.
That would even better what we saw at Melbourne at the Olympic Games back in 1956.
And I for one would certainly not argue that they've achieved that.
Music
When you're off to see the world it's a good feeling to know you're flying Qantas and there's a way to be sure.
This sign means you're really flying Qantas and that's a sure sign of a great holiday.
Music
This is probably the best Donwine Waterbed special I've ever had to offer you.
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So collect yours today from your nearest Donwine Waterbed retailer.
Music
Well there were some great moments today at QE2 but there was still one more to come.
Mike Brady's official Commonwealth Games song says among other things you've come here to win.
But the friendly games are more than just winning. It was Tracy Wickham's honor to represent not only her country but all the assembled athletes in delivering the most solemn part of this afternoon's ceremony.
Music
We declare that we will take part in the Commonwealth Games of 1982 in the spirit of true sportsmanship recognizing the rules which govern them and desirous of participating in them for the honor of our Commonwealth and for the glory of sport.
Well for the honor of our Commonwealth and the glory of our sport.
It's been a fitting start to what promises to be one of the biggest and best and most exciting sporting spectaculars ever staged in Australia.
We'll be back at 11 o'clock tonight with another report on the games and in the meantime for other news on the games stay tuned for the National 9 News with Don Secum and Paul Griffiths.
Look forward to your company tonight at 11 o'clock.
Music
Music
Music
This has been another presentation from 9's wide world of sports.
The 12th Commonwealth Games brought to you by Qantas.
Music
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 9 News.
Good evening Don Secum 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 hold ups.
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 Benune 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.
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.
The song was called the Blue Danube.
The song was called the Blue Danube.
The song was called the Blue Danube.
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 extravagant are over, time for the athletes and officials.
1978 hosts Canada led the way.
There were loud cheers for the Falkland Islands team and the
two shooters.
More than 40 teams later, the Australians led by Moscow silver medallist Rick Mitchell of Melbourne.
Rick Mitchell, the standard bearer as the crowd here at QE2 rises to its feet to welcome the Australian team.
For another Australian, the memorable recognition of great service on the track in seven Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
31 year old Raeline Boyle carrying the Games baton.
In her last international meet, Raeline 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 are 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 the 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 9 o'clock. John Ross, National 9 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 Games 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 9 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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Under Comet's control systems we can tell where your parcel is at any time. It's never out of Comet's care.
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You are about to see the most exciting opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
Here it is, your own souvenir of Queensland's finest sporting moment, brought to you in tomorrow's Daily Sun.
Every day the sun brings you the games in colour. And not just ordinary colour, but hot off the press news colour.
See the triumphs, the tragedies, the excitement of the finals printed immediately in souvenir news colour as only the sun can.
So have the Daily Sun delivered and have your own Commonwealth Games opening ceremony every morning in colour.
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Come along and sing along to the great new series of Australian sing-along glasses now at Hungry Jacks.
The man from Snowy River, where the dog sits on the tuck-a-box, with me spag all on me shoulder, along the road to Gundaguy.
A new glass each week. Buy a whopper, regular fries and regular drink.
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