The Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Batemans Bay next year as part of its 230,000 kilometre journey to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Organisers are calling for local legends to be part of the Baton’s journey by carrying it as it makes its way through town on Tuesday 6 February 2018.
The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) is a Commonwealth Games tradition to build excitement about the Games and inspire community pride.
It kicks off 13 March 2017 at Buckingham Palace where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will place a message into the specially-designed baton and pass it to the first Batonbearer.
The Baton will visit all Commonwealth nations and territories, including Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania, before it arrives in Australia on 25 December 2017.
It will then travel across all states in communities across Australia for 100 days. Batemans Bay was chosen as one of the 13 NSW communities to host the relay. The Bay is the last stop in NSW before the baton heads to Tasmania.
Mayor Liz Innes said the Queen’s Baton Relay was the longest relay in history, spanning 388 days and 230,000 kilometres.
“We’re really excited the Queens Baton Relay will visit Batemans Bay,” she said.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for locals to be part of the excitement of the Commonwealth Games.
“Nominations are now being called for people to carry the Baton right here in Eurobodalla.
“Batonbearers will be everyday Australians who inspire us to be great.
“I encourage all members of the community to nominate anyone they think is worthy of this great honour.”
Selection of Batonbearers is based on the nominee’s past achievements and contributions to their community or in areas including sport, education, the arts, culture and charity.
They might have excelled, or aspire to excel athletically or personally or contribute to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community.
They must be over 10 years of age on 25 December 2017 and be an Australian citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the relay period.
Nominations are open for 10 weeks until 15 May. Visit www.gc2018.com/qbr for more information. Media Release
Above: Mayor Liz Innes unfurled the first Batemans Bay Queen’s Baton Relay banner on Monday morning. Batemans Bay has been chosen as one of 13 NSW communities to host the relay and the Baton will come through town on Tuesday 6 February 2018 in the lead up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
