Toowoomba cop’s dream Baton run
TOOWOOMBA police officer Louise Macdonald has been the first line of defence as the Queen’s Baton makes its way across the country.
She has been to Canberra, northern New South Wales and the Great Barrier Reef, but there was one place on the Queen’s Baton Relay route Senior Constable Macdonald was most excited about - her home town.
Speaking after escorting the baton into Civic Square yesterday afternoon, Snr Constable Macdonald reflected on her mammoth journey home.
“Obviously I was really excited to go to all of the places I had never been before but it was great to finally go to my home town,” she said.
“I had family and friends here today and it was great to see them.”
The Commonwealth Games kicks off next Wednesday and Australia’s athletes will be centre stage once the Queen’s Baton finally makes its way to the Gold Coast.
What we won’t hear much about are the volunteers and people like Louise Macdonald who got it there.
The senior constable said her experiences, the sights and the people she met along the way, were memories she would treasure for the rest of her life.
“It has been a really unique experience in terms of policing but it has been amazing to hear some of the stories of the baton bearers,” Ms Macdonald said.
“Some pretty amazing people get to carry the baton and I get to hear their stories.
“Being part of the whole Commonwealth Games experience has been amazing.
“We were in Canberra for Australia Day which was amazing and we got to take the baton scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.
“In general everyone wants to see and and everyone has been so positive about the experience.”