In 1982, as Robert de Castella was powering his way to gold through the streets of Brisbane and the Queen was visiting the Nathan campus, David Thiel was embarking on an academic career at Griffith University.
Getting to work in the early days meant presenting a special tag at a boom gate at the Kessels Road entrance at the bottom of the campus.
“Kessels Road was closed during the Games right up to Mains Road,” he says. “We were allowed on campus with a special tag. I was coming to work to research and to snoop.”
Campus growth
During that time he witnessed the growth of the campus and the development of a new building for the athletes’ accommodation. Nearby, at the northern end of the campus, another space was refurbished to provide the athletes with a games and entertainment area. “I remember the glittering disco ball and the flashing light.”
David, then a session
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News and other stories about real people, places, and events in Mount Gravatt and nearby suburbs.