March 6, 2017
The Queen’s Baton Relay will pass through the South Burnett on March 27 next year as part of the lead-up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
And organisers are inviting local residents to be a part of the big day!
Across Australia, about 3800 baton bearers are needed to share the dream of the “Friendly Games”.
A South Burnett Regional Council spokesperson said “local legends” were being sought to carry the baton in the South Burnett.
A community nomination program (see below) opened on Sunday which offers residents of the South Burnett and the surrounding areas an opportunity to carry the Baton.
The Relay will begin on March 13 (Commonwealth Day) at Buckingham Palace in London.
The baton, which will carry a message from the Queen, will then travel through every Commonwealth nation and territory on its way to Australia.
It will begin its Australian journey on Christmas Day this year and then travel for 100 days to connect with as many Australians as possible in every State and Territory.
It will enter Queensland at the Torres Strait.
Locally, it will travel from Noosa Heads to Caloundra, then Kilcoy, Kingaroy, Dalby and Oakey before working its way back to Brisbane via Toowoomba.
When it arrives at the Gold Coast on April 4, 2018, it will have travelled for 388 days and covered 230,000km.
* * *
Nominations to take part in the baton relay opened on Sunday and will continue until May 15.
Anyone can nominate a person who inspires them to be great.
Nominations can be made online
Baton bearers should be people who:
- Have achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary; or
- Have made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community; or
- Have excelled, or aspire to excel athletically or personally; or
- Contribute to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community.
They should be at least 10 years old on December 25, 2017, and an Australian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the Relay period (December 25, 2017 to April 4, 2018).
South Burnett mayor Keith Campbell said the Queen’s Baton Relay would connect the South Burnett with communities across Australia and the Commonwealth.
“I for one can’t wait for the start of the QBR on Commonwealth Day, Monday March 13, and to follow its journey around the world on its way to Kingaroy and the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.”
* * *
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she did not want politicians basking in the reflected glory of carrying the baton across Queensland.
“I don’t want politicians signing up for the baton relay as just another chance to grandstand,” she said.
“I won’t be applying to run and politicians at every level should follow my lead.
‘These are the people’s games, ‘the Friendly Games’.
“We want our young people, our community legends, from all walks of life tasked as baton-bearers.
“Hundreds of Queenslanders will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the lead-up to what is the biggest supporting event in a decade in Australia.
“I’ll be out there cheering them on, with the thousands of others lining the baton-relay route.”
