The G20 was more than just an opportunity for Brisbane to descend into a maze of barricades for a few days. Or for the city to show off its amazing powers of humidity.
It gave Australians - traditionally a bunch that don't care much for international affairs - the chance to ogle world leaders.
For almost a week now, we have been treated to the comings and goings of presidential and prime ministerial entourages from around the globe, none more spectacular than the spectacle of US President Barack Obama arriving in Air Force One, only to swap to a helicopter, before transferring to his hotted-up sedan.
But beyond the giant flying machines and long, snaking motorcades, we have also been able to see these leaders in action up close: the smug waves and early exits of Vladimir Putin, the self-assured calm of Joko Widodo, the laid-back selfies of Angela Merkel.
And then of course, the commanding words offered up in Parliament and around the G20: David Cameron joking about the fact that Americans do not understand Westminster question time (mistaking it for a TV show). Xi Jinping reassuring us that China, as the "big guy", comes in peace. And Narendra Modi inviting Australia to join forces with his country of 1.25 billion people.
We've had Merkel talking of the need to combat Russian aggression with "economic strength". Francois Hollande putting the early, hard word on the world to come up with something concrete for the climate change convention next year. And Stephen Harper's wonderfully simple greeting for Putin: "I guess I'll shake your hand but I have only one thing to say to you: You need to get out of Ukraine".
Then of course, there was Barack Obama's University of Queensland speech, where he rallied young people to speak up against governments who are recalcitrant about taking action on climate change. As he explained, apart from anything else, he wanted his kids and grandkids to be able to see the Great Barrier Reef one day.
It has been a like sushi train of big personalities and big opinions. But in comparison, what has Australia offered up?
Joe Hockey and Tony Abbott talked about jobs and growth. Like, a lot. We also had our government decline to make climate change part of the official G20 agenda. And decline to contribute to the global fund to help developing countries cut their emissions.
At the so-called "leaders' retreat" that kicked off the G20 summit, Abbott took the opportunity to tell his global colleagues about Australia's issues with stopping the boats, deregulating university fees and implementing the $7 GP co-payment. This was an event specially inserted into the agenda by Abbott to get leaders talking more informally before the summit officially began. There were no advisers and no hangers on, so they could really nut out the tricky issues. The leaders' dead-eyed expressions as Abbott instructed them they were to use first names, before regaling them with domestic issues, said it all.
So when up against the sharp rhetoric and the stage presence of 18 of the world's biggest names in politics, Australia's effort looked dinky in comparison. As the Los Angeles Times journalist (and native Melburnian) Robyn Dixon wrote, the G20 "could have been Australia's moment, signalling its arrival as a global player, some here argued. But in all, the summit had Australians cringing more than cheering".
But is this fair?
When leaders travel they are automatically the interesting, new kid on the block. And they are helpfully liberated from local concerns, so can afford to talk in lofty, glorious themes. They have the advantage of speaking to people who won't ever have to vote for them. Indeed, Obama's approval ratings are at a lowly 42 per cent, while Cameron has also been weathering poll woes in Britain.
Shinzo Abe went straight back home and called a snap election to get support for his economic reforms, amid a Japanese recession, while Hollande's ex-girlfriend has helpfully just penned a book about what a bastard he is. Modi continues to face questions about his treatment of Muslims while Xi presides over a massive civil society crackdown in China.
The take home message here? World leaders and their countries are like parents and kids. Your own mum and dad are always more embarrassing than other people's. And no one's kids are trouble-free.
But as anyone who has ever received a parental hug at the school gate can attest, some things are objectively embarrassing.
Which is worth bearing in mind as the Coalition considers whether or not it will join the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, France, Japan and others in donating to the Green Climate Fund. And what target it comes up with before Paris 2015.
Judith Ireland is a Fairfax Media journalist.
