Bearers to relay Games good news
COMMUNITY champions will join world-class athletes when the 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton relay passes through Geelong, Torquay and Queenscliff on February 12 next year.
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation this week announced its baton bearers.
Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club’s Janet Jones, who started Starfish Nippers — a program for young people with a disability — is among the baton bearers in Torquay.
Starfish Nippers has been picked up by other surf clubs across Australia.
Joining Ms Jones on the Torquay leg will be the likes of Olympic cycling silver medallist Clyde Sefton, 1962 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tony Strahan and triple Commonwealth Games tenpin bowling champion Cara Honeychurch.
Among the youngest baton bearers will be 12-year-old sporting star and Scout Lucinda Hateley, from Colac, who was nominated for her dedication to Scouting — which includes learning sign language — and her sporting abilities.
Meanwhile, former Geelong AFL star Cameron Ling said he can’t wait to make his hometown proud as a baton bearer for next year’s Commonwealth Games.
The sporting legend will run through Geelong with baton in hand cheered on by friends and family.
“I am excited and surprised. It all came out of the blue,” he said. “It’ll be a great buzz doing it in my home town, especially having my kids their to see it.”
It will be something of a family affair for the Lings, with Cameron due to take over from his mum Laurel, 63, who is doing the Torquay leg of the run.
“It will be special to share it together. She ran with the Olympic torch leading up to the 2000 Games,” he said.
The Queen’s Baton Relay will kick off in Victoria on February 10, starting in St Kilda and finishing up in Mildura.