Our full coverage of city’s historic Queen’s Baton Relay:
Thousands flood streets in excitement over Games
YESTERDAY’S Queen’s Baton Relay was an historic moment for Toowoomba.
With the city playing its part in the countdown to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, memories of a lifetime were made.
For some, it brought memories of Sydney 2000 when a different generation of Toowoomba residents cheered on as the Olympic Torch made its way through the city.
Now, a new era of Garden City children will be able to tell of the day the Queen’s Baton came to town.
One of those children was Gemma Leigh. Gemma, along with her mum Jess, brother Hudson and sister Milly, watched on in Newtown Park as the procession of baton bearers, officials and emergency services escorted the baton through Toowoomba.
“It’s a great opportunity for all of Toowoomba to come and see something special,” she said.
Mum Jess Leigh was determined to let her children experience the spirit of the Commonwealth Games.
“We got out of school an hour early to come and watch it go past and get a good spot,” she said.
“Just so the kids could see it and remember it.”
For Toowoomba-born country music singer, Josh Arnold, to carry the baton was a moment of pride.
Walking through the streets of his hometown, it was hard for Mr Arnold not to get caught up in the moment.
“It was a buzz to have my grandma there and it is a special moment for my family for me to get to run through my old part of town,” he said.
“It has travelled around the world, this baton. It has gone through nearly 100 countries and here I am having a run through my home suburb of Newtown.