Legend to have hand in city’s relay excitement
RUGBY league star Justin Hodges will carry the Queen’s Baton Relay into Munro Martin Parklands in one of the highlights of the international relay’s journey through the Cairns region this week.
Excitement is building as the relay arrives in Cairns on Thursday with Mayor Bob Manning urging residents to take part in the three community celebrations.
“There will be plenty of excitement as the baton arrives in the hands of rugby league legend Justin Hodges,” Cr Manning said.
Hodges will carry the baton into the parklands at about 4pm on Friday.
But the action starts on Thursday as the baton plays “tourist” with a trip on Skyrail, the Kuranda Scenic Railway and visits the Great Barrier Reef.
On Friday and Saturday, the baton will hit the streets, passing through 131 sets of hands as it makes its way from Palm Cove to Cairns, Edge Hill, Manunda and on to Edmonton. Cr Manning said the best vantage points would be one of the community celebrations at Palm Cove, Cairns and Edmonton.
“Each of these celebrations is a chance to see the Queen’s Baton up close and to be part of its international journey,” he said.
The baton will arrive at Palm Cove to a guard of honour by lifeguards as the community is treated to a free beachside breakfast.
It then will be carried by baton bearers from Kewarra Beach to Trinity Beach, before being transported into Cairns.
The baton will leave Cairns State High School at 11.45am for a loop of the city, taking in the Esplanade, Cairns Botanic Gardens, through Manunda and back to the city via Gatton and Severin streets.
The relay route weaves through the CBD from about 3.30pm to 5.30pm, on to the next community celebration site at Munro Martin Parklands.
On the baton’s final day in the region on Saturday the convoy will travel from Mount Sheridan to Walker Road, Edmonton, for a Sports Spectacular and free activities.