South Perth batonbearers prepare to share the dream of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

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

In our local community, hundreds of people will get the opportunity to engage with the Baton as it spends quality time in the region, arriving in South Perth on 24 February 2018. 

Eight batonbearers including  Bernadette Poynter-Johnson from Kensington will carry the Queens Baton through South Perth. From youngsters to some of Australia’s most accomplished legends, the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) recognises the achievements of Australians such as Bernadette, who as a young chiropractor used her first year of income to build an orphanage in China.

Queen’s Baton Relay street routes and community celebration details will be announced on 17 November 2017.

Queen’s Baton Relay South Perth batonbearers

• Bernadette Poynter-Johnson, Kensington
• Jenny Aramini, Carlisle
• Gabrielle Murphy, Scarborough
• Sarah Prindiville, Thornlie
• Shirley Simpson, Canning Vale
• Don Stockins, Wembley
• Gregory Whyte, Gosnells
• Gary Wilmot, Langford

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.

In 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.

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.

This year marks 60 years since the first Baton carried Her Majesty’s message to athletes of the Commonwealth at the Cardiff 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Wales.

“I am immensely proud of our batonbearers and the role they will take when the Queen’s Baton comes to town. Many have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others, some have accomplished great feats and others are working towards realising their dreams. Being a batonbearer recognises all of this, and more. I encourage you to support these great people in our community, and to share a memorable moment with the Queen’s Baton yourselves,” City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty said.

GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC:
“We couldn’t be more excited for the batonbearers who will be a part of this rich tradition. We are honoured to have so many great Australians carry Her Majesty’s message for Gold Coast 2018 and we look forward to celebrating their stories and inspiring generations to come.

“For the batonbearers, this will be a rare and unforgettable experience.”

Batonbearer names and the communities that they will carry the Baton in are available at gc2018.com/qbr.

#QBR2018 #GC2018 #SHARETHEDREAM

Background
The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) continues to connect the Gold Coast with the entire Commonwealth.

Already the Baton has been passed between thousands of people across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

The GC2018 Relay is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000 kilometres.

The Baton engages with all Commonwealth nations and territories of Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania for 288 days before it arrives in Australia for a further 100 days.

The Baton arrives into Brisbane on Christmas Eve and approximately 3,800 batonbearers will carry it through every state and territory in Australia.

The Relay started on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed Her message inside of the Baton.

The distinctive design of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton captures the boundless energy of the Gold Coast. In form and inspiration, the Baton is a symbol of our past, present and future.

The Queen’s Baton arrives on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where the Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games open.