Much of it was reminiscent of the Opening Ceremony at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney still fondly remembered by all who witnessed it.

From the haunting opening bars of the song My Island Home by Christine Anu first heard in a sporting context at those Games, the mood was set.

Patricia O’Connor and Ted Williams, both elders of the Yugambeh, had been at Buckingham Palace a year ago when the Queen’s message was consigned to the Baton. Here they stood in front of the enthusiastic crowd to give the "Welcome to Nation". This can take the form of song dance or even as in this case a speech.

That they both spoke was an expression of gender equality but also the latest chapter in an increasing effort to involve and integrate First Nation peoples in the Commonwealth Games.

It was in 1990 in Auckland that Sir Hugh Kawharu, a distinguished Maori scholar of the Ngati Whatua, spoke a greeting in Maori to Prince Edward and the athletes of the Commonwealth on behalf of all New Zealanders. This was watched by the revered Maori elder Dame Whina Cooper who also greeted the visitors.

In 1994 in Victoria The Queen was presented with "a talisman of peace and harmony" by the Coast Salish people and actually made her address to open the Games from inside a first nation "Big House".

It was no surprise that The Queen’s message in 2018 acknowledged the indigenous peoples.

No one would pretend that the gestures made at this sporting ceremony will solve everything after years of inequality and there have already been protests including one which held up the progress of the baton relay for almost an hour at nearby Spit Point.

Yet go beyond the marketing speak and look into the eyes of the competitors and crowds at an event like this and you do find a special atmosphere. Organisers of the first Games in 1930 talked of a "a spirit of novel adventure , merrier and less stern".

To slightly adapt the words of the great American sprinter Jesse Owens, "this is where you break bread with the rest of the Commonwealth".

Organisers kept much of the Ceremony under wraps. Everyone expected some involvement here for Sally Pearson. As it happens she began the day with the Baton in her hand at Surfers Paradise and ended it over 12 hours later in the Carrara Stadium with the self same Baton.

The same gleaming Volkswagen Camper van brought the baton home, it is not recorded whether "Madame Butterfly" Susie O’Neill or Pearson hitched a ride but the temptation must have been there. Anna Meares and Victoria Pendleton the first bearers in 2017 had been besides themselves with envy when they saw a similar vehicle at the Palace.

It was good to see another member of the Buckingham Palace "set" Para athlete Kurt Fearnley. He enjoyed another moment in the spotlight on Baton duties.

When the Commonwealth Games were last in this neck of the woods, the Opening Ceremony was a good deal more militaristic. The combined bands of the Royal Australian navy in white, the Army in red and the Royal Australian Airforce in Blue formed the logo of Brisbane as they played in the teams but here there was scarcely a slouch hat in sight.

Back then cameras in the athletes parade were discouraged and it was supposed to be a "march in". Here the parade was more reminiscent of most Closing Ceremonies.

As in 1982 we had the surf lifesavers parading in during the display. Here clad in bright yellow and red uniforms, it was their task to usher the teams in. They did it with the help of the "Nippers" the junior members of the surf clubs. Reflecting the concerns on water safety here.

Light projected the waves onto the edges of the arena made to look like a beach.

As the previous host nation, Scotland led the teams in, kilts and tartans of course, the Bermudan shorts were also a sensible option on a night like this.

Best choice of flagbearer has to be from the Isle of Man. They first competed in 60 years ago thanks to Manx sports enthusiast Curwen Clague and always choose their flag bearer with care.

Music hall singer Florrie Forde used to sing Has anybody here seen Kelly, Kelly from the Isle of Man? He was right here in the Gold Coast, cyclist Jake Kelly that is who carried the famous flag with the three legs.

Prize for the best headgear of the night, Lesotho who chose the traditional hat which is seen on their flags.

Impossible to choose the best from the costumes of the teams from Africa, most went for the traditional dress which provided a riot of colour.

Ghana used to be known as the Gold Coast before independence and joked "we’re the real Gold Coast and we’re coming home".

England marched in shirts with an indigenous design created in nearby Southport. According to the official programme they are the newest African nation

A case of "Printers devil" rather than Tasmanian Devil . When the map of Australia was projected centre stage, the home state of cricketer and 1998 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Ricky Ponting was given due prominence. In 1982 it had caused a right old furore when a map was used that appeared to leave the island out.

Enter the host nation Australia, confetti and Down Under by Men at Work - a hit around the time of Brisbane 1982 Games as the men - and women - down under came in.

In past Commonwealth Games the absence of traditional colours in Aussie the uniforms has caused a real furore.

In Sydney 1938 they wore white, light blue in Brisbane 1982 and the green and gold was absent at the Sydney 2000 Olympics too causing great controversy. Here they entered to a ticker tape welcome of Green and gold in traditional blazers. They looked tremendous and the crowd loved it .

This was a fair dinkum ceremony which blew most of us away.

As they say in these parts: Good on ya!