Brisbane 2032 is coming.
There will be athletes. There will be medals. There will be millions of visitors. And there will, almost certainly, be ibis.
Which is why we’d like to formally nominate the bin chicken as the unofficial mascot of Brisbane 2032. Apparently, though, the ibis has already been ruled out of the official job. At the recent Brisbane 2032 emblem launch, Olympic Minister Tim Mander told the crowd: “I can guarantee you, I’m sorry, it won’t be the bin chicken.” There were boos. Fair enough too. Because while the pink cockatoo has already scored itself prime real estate in the official Olympic emblem, we reckon there’s still a very strong case for the ibis. Not as the official mascot. That ship may have sailed. We’re talking unofficial. The people’s mascot. The bird already on the ground, putting in the work.
1. It already knows Brisbane
A proper mascot should represent the host city. And few creatures have committed themselves to Brisbane quite like the ibis. Parks. Picnic areas. Shopping centres. Outdoor dining. Anywhere somebody has recently opened a packet of hot chips. The ibis has done the reconnaissance. By 2032, while the rest of the world is trying to work out where everything is, the ibis will already know the quickest route between the venue and the nearest unattended lunch. Local knowledge matters.
2. It has elite-level focus
Olympians spend years training for one moment. The ibis understands this. Watch one spot a dropped chip from 30 metres away and you’ll see the same qualities displayed by elite athletes everywhere: focus, commitment, speed and complete disregard for distractions. Once the target has been identified, there is no Plan B. Just chip.
3. It competes in several disciplines
Why limit ourselves to a mascot that specialises in one thing? The ibis is a genuine all-rounder.
Sprint: surprisingly quick when food is involved.
Hurdles: picnic tables, bins, fences. No issue.
Diving: head-first into a rubbish bin with complete confidence.
Wrestling: particularly strong when another ibis has identified the same chip.
Race walking: arguably its signature event.
And unlike most athletes, it competes year-round. No off-season.
4. It already belongs here
You don’t need to introduce Brisbane to the ibis. It’s been hanging around parks, footpaths and outdoor dining areas for years. It doesn’t need directions. It doesn’t need an orientation session. It doesn’t even really need an invitation. By 2032, it won’t feel like a mascot has arrived. It’ll feel like one of the locals got promoted.
5. It has overcome adversity
The ibis has suffered one of the more dramatic PR declines in Australian wildlife. Once associated with wetlands. Now associated with bins. And yet? Still thriving. Still turning up. Still walking directly toward your table like the criticism has only made it stronger. That’s resilience. Olympic-level resilience.
6. It’s the kind of thing visitors will actually remember
International visitors already know about koalas and kangaroos. The ibis is the surprise. They’ll arrive expecting beaches, sunshine and cute Australian wildlife. Then somewhere around day two, a large bird with absolutely no shame will attempt to steal their lunch. And someone will explain: “That’s a bin chicken.” No further context. That’s the sort of cultural experience you can’t manufacture. Years later, they may forget the venue names. They may forget the transport system. But they will remember the bird that tried to take their chips. That’s brand recognition.
7. It already has its own seasoning
Most unofficial mascots would need merchandise first. The ibis is ahead of schedule. We already made Ibis Salt™ – Bin Chicken Chip Topper, because apparently putting a bin chicken on a shaker of Australian-made chip seasoning felt completely reasonable. And if Brisbane 2032 teaches us anything, it’s that elite performance requires proper preparation. Preferably on hot chips. So while the ibis may have been ruled out of official mascot duties, at least it can say it already has a product range. That’s more than some mascots can manage.
8. Queensland can handle the joke
The best thing about the ibis is that we don’t need to pretend it’s majestic. That’s the whole point. Brisbane can host one of the biggest sporting events in the world and still acknowledge that one of our most recognisable local characters spends a fair amount of time investigating bins. Both things can be true. And really, that feels very Queensland.
Give the bird a chance
So yes, apparently the bin chicken is already out of the running for official mascot duties. We think that decision may have been premature. The cockatoo has the emblem. Surely there’s room somewhere for the ibis. We’re not asking for much. Unofficial mascot status. Maybe a lanyard. Possibly accreditation to the food court. And, naturally, a ceremonial shaker of Ibis Salt. Because when Brisbane 2032 rolls around, while the athletes are chasing gold, somewhere nearby an ibis will be chasing half a hot chip. And frankly, we know who we’ll be cheering for.
IBIS FOR 2032.
Unofficially, obviously.