The golden girl of Australian athletics, Tatiana Grigorieva, lived up to her pre-Games billing with victory in the pole vault.
Grigorieva took gold after clearing 4.35m, leading compatriot Kym Howe in an Aussie one-two.
Howe matched the eventual leader in the early stages but could only muster a best vault of 4.15m.
England's Irie Hill salvaged some English pride after the absence of Janine Whitlock, who was banned from the Games following a positive drugs test.
Hill's best jump of 4.10m earned her bronze alongside Australia's Bridgid Isworth and Canada's Stephanie Mccann.