1982 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the 1982 Commonwealth Games was held on 30 September 1982 at the QEII Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

After the announcement welcoming the audience to the opening ceremony, thousands of high school students dressed in red, white, or blue came running onto the field.

While the Opening Prelude / Commonwealth Games Song was performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonia Choir), the children formed the Australian flag.

The circles broke up to form a stylised map of Australia again surrounded by a blue square representing the sea.

While "I Still Call Australia Home" was playing, these young people stood in rows, holding hands, and swaying to represent waves on the sea.

The dances were; As the dancers ran out of the stadium Matilda the games' mascot entered and performed a lap of honour.

Once her lap was completed, her pouch opened and children representing joey kangaroos ran out towards small trampolines which had been set up in the centre of the stadium.

As they bounced, Rolf Harris, standing on the tray of a small truck wearing a sky blue leisure suit and with his trademark wobble board, performed a special version of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down" which included the added lyrics: As the trampolines were moved out, Rolf Harris sang a slow-paced version of the song "Waltzing Matilda".