We have touchdown
Excitement builds as Queen’s Baton arrives
AUSTRALIANS got their first good look at the Queen’s Baton yesterday as the countdown began in earnest to next April’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The Baton was displayed to spectators at the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG having arrived in Australia on Sunday.
The Baton was handed over to Games ambassador Cam McAvoy at the Brisbane International Airport and will now travel more than 40,000 kilometres through every Australian state and territory before finishing its journey on the Gold Coast in just 99 days.
It will be carried by 3800 Aussies including Gold Coasters Robyn Arlow from Mermaid Waters, Blayne Arnold from Palm Beach, Kenneth Richard Arthurson from Surfers Paradise, Guy Bagot from Mudgeeraba and Riley Barnes from Coombabah.
GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie said the arrival of the Baton was a major milestone for the Gold Coast event.
“As the ultimate symbol of the Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton gives everyday Australians the chance to share the dream of GC2018 in the lead-up to April,” he said.
More than 1800 batonbearers who were nominated by their communities will carry the Queen’s Baton throughout Queensland.
The oldest is 100-year-old Bill Bruce from Nebo and the youngest is 10-year-old Corbin Easton from Caloundra.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Commonwealth Games was the Gold Coast and Queensland’s chance to “shine in front of the world”.
“It will showcase to the world the many landscapes of our great state – from the tropical coastal areas to lush rainforests and our beautiful outback,” she said.
The Baton will spend its final 33 days in Queensland.