Noosa will again welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay, and the news is bringing back memories for baton bearer Clinton Stanley who carried the baton through Noosa in 2006 for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
With the baton again heading for Noosa, this time bound for the Gold Coast in 2018, the champion swimmer is urging others to carry on the tradition.
Across Australia some 3800 baton bearers are needed to share the dream of the ‘friendly Games’ as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay, which comes to Noosa on Monday 26 March 2018.
The baton will reach its final destination, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Opening Ceremony, on 4 April 2018.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has launched the call-out for baton bearers, and said she did not want politicians basking in the reflected glory of carrying the Queens Baton across Queensland in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games.
“I don’t want politicians signing up for the baton relay as just another chance to grandstand,” Ms Palaszczuk 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.”
Queen’s Baton Relay Local Working Group chairman councillor Joe Jurisevic said Noosa was filled with inspirational and amazing people.
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is a fantastic opportunity to involve those local champions, just like Clinton, who make Noosa what it is today,” he said.
A community nomination program, which is now open, offers the people of Noosa and the surrounding region an opportunity to carry the baton.
Baton bearers are people of all abilities who inspire others to be great. They will represent their communities with pride and showcase their hometowns to the world.
“Clinton Stanley is a great example of someone making a dream a reality, despite the challenges that life may present,” Cr Jurisevic said.
“We’re excited to have the baton coming through Noosa, and I encourage our Noosa community embrace this opportunity.”
Setting off in Australia on 25 December 2017, the baton will travel for 100 days to connect with as many people as possible in every state and territory.
The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty The Queen through the entire Commonwealth. The Games are declared officially open when the message is read aloud.
The baton will start its global journey at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March, before it will travel through every Commonwealth nation and territory on its way to Australia.
From today until 15 May 2017, anyone can nominate a person who inspires them to be great. GC2018 are looking for people who:
* Have achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary;
* 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;
* Are at least 10 years old as at 25 December 2017; and
* Are an Australian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the Relay period (25 December 2017 – 4 April 2018).
Nominations can be made by visiting www.gc2018.com/qbr
