Borobi the koala was unveiled at Burleigh Heads Beach on Monday and Ms Sutton, a 19-year-old former Mount Isa resident was heavily involved in the design.

“I was honoured to have designed the indigenous component on Borobi’s hands, feet and surfboard

and after months of waiting for the launch it was an amazing experience to see the mascot and my art come to life,” Chern’ee said.

Chern’ee was commissioned by the Gold Coast Organising Committee in October last year to add some of her Indigenous flare to the mascot design.

“It’s great to see all of the elements come together and to see my designs taking pride of place on Borobi’s hands and feet,” she said. 

“Whether it’s a handshake, wave or gesture the hands are very symbolic of welcoming people from all around the world to Australia, the hands and the feet tell the story of the Commonwealth Games, which is left behind in the sand as he travels.

Chern’ee said she was following the tradition of Aboriginal art which had told stories for 60,000 years in rock art, songs, coroborrees and pictures depicted in the sand.

“My story which is imprinted behind Borobi as he travels on his journey is left for the world to see,” she said.

“Each country of the Commonwealth is represented by the campsite or meeting place (on the feet) with both female and male athlete symbols sitting united on either side.”

Chern’ee said the wavy lines in the fingertips represented the 11 days of the Commonwealth Games and the scattered dots represented the spectators from all over the world that come to support the Games.

The Mount Isa-raised teenager is now living in Bundaberg and is winning international acclaim for her art with a soon to be released chocolate range.