The first Australian Team in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada had 11 in the team - 1994 Team had 332, 1998 Team had 439, 2002 Team had 515 and the 2006 Team had 615.

The first Australian Team in 1930 won 8 medals in comparison to England with 61. Our 2006 Team won 221 medals ahead of England second with 110.

1938 Team in Sydney was outfitted by a Sydney Department store, Farmers, with a jumper, a tie, a pair of shorts, and a singlet - 2006 Team had a Blazer, two shirts/blouses, trousers/skirt, shoes, belt, tie/scarf, carry bag, sports bag, tracksuit, competition gear, training gear, village gear.

1930 Team left Sydney on 26 June on R.M.S. "Aorangi" and arrived 23 July in Hamilton - 1994 Team left Sydney by chartered Qantas Jumbo 747 on 11 August and arrived in Canada on 10 August. In 2002 the flight from Sydney to Manchester took over 24 hours. Travel to Melbourne was of course minimal in comparison.

The 1930 Games cost 20,000 Pounds to stage - the 2006 Games in Melbourne is estimated to cost approx. $300m to organise not including the construction cost of facilities.

There were 6 sports in 1930 and 1934, 7 sports in 1938, 9 sports from 1954 to 1974, 10 sports from 1978 to 1994 and in 1998 there were 15 sports. In 2006 there was 18.

The Commonwealth Games program must consist of a minimum of 10 sports. Athletics, Race Swimming, Lawn Bowls, Rugby Sevens (Men) and Netball (Women) are all compulsory. The host country selects the remaining sports from Archery, Badminton, Billiards and Snooker, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Fencing, Gymnastics, Judo, Rowing/Sprint Racing, Shooting, Squash, Synchronised Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Yachting. The host country may also select additional Team sports.

Boxing is the only sport other than Athletics and Swimming which has been on every Games program.

Prior to 1998 there had only been individual sports on the program. In 1998 there were four team sports, Cricket, Hockey, Netball, and Rugby 7s. In 2006 there was four with the inclusion of Basketball.

In 1930 there were 400 athletes in the Games, in 1954 there were 664, in 1970 there were 1383, and in 1990 there were 2073, in 1998 there were over 3638, in 2002 there were approx 3690 and in 2006 there were 4040.

Total size of all teams (athletes and officials) in 1998 was 5068, in 2002 was 5474 and in 2006 there was 5770.

Australia has held the Games four times; 1938 in Sydney, 1962 in Perth, 1982 in Brisbane and in 2006 Melbourne.

Since World War II at the Commonwealth Games, Australian athletes won 80 medals in Auckland in 1950, 105 medals in Perth in 1962, 107 medals in Brisbane in 1982, 120 medals in Edinburgh in 1986, 162 medals in Auckland in 1990, 187 medals in Victoria in 1994, 198 medals in KL in 1998, 207 in Manchester in 2002 and 221 in Melbourne in 2006.

Australia is the undisputed sports champion of the Commonwealth. In the overall medal count it is Australia with 1905 medals, England second with 1692, and Canada third with 1314.

All funds come from marketing and fundraising with State and Federal Governments supporting National and State Appeals.

There are 71 countries in the Commonwealth Games which include some of the world's largest populations (ie. India 935m people) and some of the world's smallest populations, (ie. St Helena 320 persons).