The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has announced the Australian Celebration Communities that the Queen’s Baton will visit and called for thousands of local legends to carry the Baton across Australia in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).
With only eight days until the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) sets off from London on an extraordinary journey through the entire Commonwealth, nominations are now open for Australians to take part in this historic journey.
Across Australia 3,800 batonbearers are needed to share the dream of the ‘friendly Games’ as part of the QBR.
The Queen’s Baton will travel through Australia for 100 days from 25 December 2017.
Australia’s remarkable landscapes and diverse cultures will come to life as the Baton spends time in every state and territory on its way to the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.
In Queensland the Baton will visit 83 communities from Saturday 3 March to Wednesday 4 April 2018.
For the first time in relay history, the Baton will explore Queensland’s northernmost reaches of Hammond Island in the Torres Strait. And in another first, the Baton will island hop to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
Batonbearers will be selected through a public nomination program and collectively take more than a million steps before the Baton arrives on the Gold Coast for the start of the Games.
From today until 15 May 2017, anyone can nominate a person who inspires them to be great. Nominations can be made at gc2018.com/qbr.
GC2018 are looking for 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;
- 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).
GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC:
“Discovering the communities that the Queen’s Baton will visit in Australia is yet another exciting sign that we are fast approaching 11 days of unforgettable sporting action.
“Being a Batonbearer will give people across the country a chance to be a part of the excitement.
“As it travels through the country the Baton will bring people together from across our nation’s vast and varied landscapes, from red deserts to rainforests and mountains to islands, from our city precincts to beyond the black stumps. It’s a journey that is sure to increase our sense of connection and understanding of each other.”
“Batonbearers nominated by the public will champion the power of community.
“This is an opportunity for Australians of all abilities to join a remarkable journey that starts next week on Commonwealth Day, and I encourage you to nominate someone in your life that you believe is worthy of the honour.”
Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE:
“Being a Batonbearer on the Queen’s Baton Relay is a very special opportunity to be a part of an epic Games tradition and I hope as many people as possible in Australia will nominate their local, everyday heroes.
“Communities and citizens are at the heart of the Relay, and as we prepare for next week’s launch at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, it’s exciting to think that thousands of inspiring Australians will take this powerful symbol of the Games, and Her Majesty’s message of peace and unity, towards the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP:
“The Baton’s journey will herald the start of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, bringing excitement for the Games to all parts of the state.
“From our remote and regional communities to our capital city and finally to the Gold Coast, this is an event for all Queenslanders.
“For the first time the Baton will reach the northernmost parts of Queensland, visiting Hammond Island in the Torres Strait so that even remote communities can share in the excitement of the Games.
“From Far North Queensland the Baton will travel south and westwards to the regional communities that are the backbone of our state.
“The Queen’s Baton Relay will touch the lives of so many people right here in Queensland.
“An array of beautiful backdrops and our warm and welcoming people will shine on the world stage as the Baton visits communities across Queensland.
“On its way to the Gold Coast for the Opening Ceremony, the Baton will highlight the places and people that make this state great.”
Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones MP:
“After travelling through other parts of the country, the Baton will arrive in Queensland on Saturday 3 March 2018, before making its way to the Gold Coast on 4 April.”
“The Queen’s Baton is an important symbol of the Commonwealth Games which will help to connect a third of the world’s population with Queensland and Australia.
“As the Baton travels through the Commonwealth over the next year it will ramp up excitement for the world-class Games which are set to take place here on the Gold Coast.
“I look forward to the start of the Relay in London next week and will be closely following its journey around the world.”
Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo MP:
“This morning all around Australia communities large and small are celebrating their involvement in this great event.
“Every state and territory has an opportunity to be involved in the largest multi-sport event to be in staged in Australia in a decade.
“The Queen’s Baton Relay will take the Gold Coast 2018 Games and Australia to the world.”
Gold Coast City Mayor Tom Tate
“This is a chance to acknowledge and thank all the amazing people that contribute to the fun, friendly and welcoming place that we know the Gold Coast to be.”
“Consider those in your life that inspire you and nominate them to be batonbearers.’’
Olympic Gold and Silver Medallist Brooke Hanson OAM:
“I have fantastic memories of my run with the Queen’s Baton in 1994, when I was the youngest member of the Australian swimming team, just after my 16th birthday!
“It’s a wonderful tradition and I can’t wait to see the people across Australia, young and old, share the Queen’s Baton journey.”
GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters:
“We are very pleased to present the domestic leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay. Like the Baton design that we revealed in November last year, the Relay has been designed to be as inclusive and accessible to as many Australians as possible.
“GOLDOC consulted with all state and territory governments, hundreds of local authorities and many other organisations when determining Celebration Communities across Australia.
“Planning the Queen’s Baton Relay through the entire Commonwealth and every state and territory of Australia is a logistical feat that is testament to the first-class team of people we have here at GOLDOC.”
