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Provost wants catch-up with Australian athletes
North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson says she would love to welcome Australian athletes to Largs during or after this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The North Coast Town has strong links with Brisbane - namely through Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane (1773-1860), one of Largs' most famous sons.
And Provost Dickson is hopeful the event in Scotland will give some of the Australian competitors a chance to sample Largs and learn more about the strong historical bonds between the town and Brisbane.
Quote: We haven’t been in a position to invite the athletes however, should an opportunity arise to host Australian competitors in Largs we would be delighted to facilitate a visit. Given the tight schedule the athletes have in place we appreciate that this may be a challenge. But I’d urge them, particularly any from Brisbane, to pop along to Largs to learn more about the town and how the name Brisbane came about.”
Quote from: Anthea Dickson, Provost of North Ayrshire Council
Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane was born at Brisbane House near Largs and later became the Governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825.
During his time in Australia, a settlement and the river in the Moreton Bay area were named Brisbane in his honour. That settlement eventually grew into the modern city of Brisbane, now the capital of Queensland and Australia's third largest city.
In recent years, representatives from Brisbane City Council have visited Largs to explore stronger ties, including cultural exchanges, school partnerships, and tourism opportunities, particularly with Brisbane preparing to host the 2032 Olympic Games.
More recently, prominent Australian lawyer David Muir AM, chair of the Clem Jones Group and Clem Jones Foundation in Brisbane, held a book launch at Largs Library presenting his new memoir The Long Reach of Service: From Longreach to Legacy. The book chronicles the relationship between Largs and Brisbane as he looks to forge stronger ties ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 2032.
Council Officers and members have been in regular communication with David, most recently on Monday, July 6, when they held a very positive meeting with him when he visited the town for a book launch. The Council will continue to remain in touch and explore potential links and ideas on how to raise awareness of Thomas Brisbane and his local origins.
Published: 27 July 2026