Queen's Baton Relay batonbearers announced!

Published on 18 October 2017

GANNAWARRA BATONBEARERS PREPARE TO SHARE THE DREAM OF THE GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Media Release

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has announced the local batonbearers from Gannawarra who will carry the Queen’s Baton during the 100-day countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

Mayor Brian Gibson said that across Gannawarra, hundreds of people will get the opportunity to engage with the Baton as it spends time in the region.

“The Baton will arrive in Gannawarra on Friday 16 February 2018 and start its journey in Murrabit in the morning,  before travelling to Kerang for a community celebration in the afternoon,” Mayor Gibson said.

Stacey Barbagallo, Gannawarra’s 2017 Young Citizen of the Year, is looking forward to the opportunity of carrying the Baton through Kerang.

“I have always loved sport and to be a part of the Commonwealth Queen's Baton Relay is an amazing opportunity that I will always remember,” Miss Barbagallo said.

Local teenager Lachlan Lyons has been selected to carry the Baton through Murrabit and is honoured to have the opportunity to be part of the event.

“I hope to use this opportunity to represent all the other foster children that are going through the same turmoil that I went through, and show that there is light at the end of the tunnel," Mr Lyons explains 

*A full list of QBR batonbearers is attached to the end of this Media Release*

Collectively across the country, batonbearers will take more than a million steps to bring the Baton to its final destination, the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.

The uniquely designed Baton starts its Australian journey on 25 December 2017, 100 days before the Opening Ceremony. For one month during the school summer holidays, the Queen’s Baton will visit major events, iconic landmarks and children’s hospitals.

From Canberra on 25 January 2018, the Baton will switch gears to a traditional Relay and be carried by great Australians through QBR celebration communities around the country.

“We are looking forward to celebrating with our communities on the arrival of the Queen’s Baton in February,” Mayor Gibson said.

“Planning is happening for a community celebration in Kerang which will include entertainment, key note speaker, food and music, it will be a great occasion and we can’t wait to share the details with you soon! The Queen’s Baton Relay route through Murrabit and Kerang will be released on 17 November, so the community can plan their viewing location and make sure they don’t miss a minute of this exciting event,” Mayor Gibson said.

Since its launch from Buckingham Palace on 13 March 2017, the Baton has inspired athletes and fans across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Currently it is in Malaysia and is set to visit the remaining 15 Commonwealth nations in Asia and Oceania before arriving in Brisbane on Christmas Eve.

It will be 6o years since a Baton first carried Her Majesty’s message to athletes of the Commonwealth at the Cardiff 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Wales.

To see a full list of Batonbearer names and the communities that they will carry the Baton in please visit gc2018.com/qbr

Full list of Gannawarra Queen’s Baton Relay Batonbearers

MURRABIT

KERANG