1962 Closing Ceremony

This is colour home movie footage of the closing ceremony of the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, held in Perth on 1 December 1962. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, opened and closed the games at the Perry Lakes Stadium (now demolished).

The closing ceremony turned into a moving farewell with the athletes marching out arm in arm and an enthusiastic spontaneous version of 'Waltzing Matilda' was sung, led by Welsh boxer Rocky James.

The London Daily Telegraph wrote, 'The VIIth Commonwealth Games have proved that it is possible for an area as basically devoid of sports interest as Perth to stage the second most important sports meeting in the world - and stage it successfully. Perth has shown that these Games will continue for years to come.'