REDLANDERS have made an international splash at the Commonwealth Games.
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins designed Migaloo the whale, which floated out over the opening ceremony, and other prominent artwork, while our athletes soared.
Redland swimmers Shayna Jack and Daniel Fox boosted Australia’s medal tally, each scoring podium finishes in their events.
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Fox picked up bronze for his efforts in the S14 200 metre men’s freestyle, with Jack helping to propel the women’s team to gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Former Ormiston College students James Connor and Matthew Bernard will represent Australia in diving from today.
The Commonwealth Games are held every four years to unite countries and territories previously part of the British Empire.
Prince Charles officially opened the Games’ opening ceremony, reading a message penned by the Queen. “...Even though we may be half a world away, we are all connected,” he read.
The message had travelled inside the Queen’s baton for 388 days as it was relayed from Buckingham Palace to Australia.
Straddie artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins’ Migaloo the whale stunned about 35,000 spectators packed into Carrara Stadium as it floated above the crowd.
Other Redlanders were also featured, including Quandamooka dancers.
Four Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club nippers, Anna Bradley, Charlotte Johnstone, Jayden Robinson and Callum Brennan, led out athletes, with Cleveland District State High School student Taylor Dickson performing as a dancer among others.
A royal invite was extended to Julie and Mark Wallace, the parents of Ormiston woman Sara Zelenak, who was killed in London during a terror attack last June.
The Wallaces met with Prince Charles on Friday night at Government House in a reception hosted by the Govenor of Queensland, Paul de Jersey.
Ms Wallace said Prince Charles was sincere and funny. “He was a really nice man,” she said.
Redlands artist Maryann Talia Pau’s One Million Stars to End Violence project has also been a feature of Commonwealth Games celebrations.
About 2.4 million stars weaved by people across the globe have been strung into garlands for Festival 2018 installations, including at King George Square.
Other Redlanders have also donated their time as Commonwealth Games volunteers.
