Oct 18, 2017 - From 23-year-old youth ambassador for people with a disability Ruby Lawler, to rugby league legend Gary L
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT 18 October 2017 GLADSTONE GREATS TO CARRY THE QUEEN’S BATON MESSAGE Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Matt Burnett joined Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones today to reveal the names of local baton bearers who will carry the Queen’s Baton in the lead-up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Minister Jones and Councillor Burnett said Gladstone’s baton bearers, selected through a community nomination program, reflected the achievements of people from all walks of life and captured the spirit of the local community. “So many inspirational Queenslanders have taken up the baton to be part of Queensland’s biggest ever sporting event and I’m delighted that 23 local heroes will share the excitement of carrying the baton through the Gladstone region,” Ms Jones said. “It will be the experience of a lifetime for them and one that they will cherish forever.” Cr Burnett said the Queen’s Baton Relay was a unique opportunity to recognise and celebrated the achievements of the wonderful people who make the Gladstone region great. “It’s one of the most exciting events in the lead up to the Games and a chance for our community to be part of a special Commonwealth Games tradition,” he said. Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said hundreds of people would get the opportunity to engage with the baton when it moved through the Gladstone region. “I encourage everyone to join in our local celebrations”, he said. Minister Jones also announced today that Queensland communities have been invited to share in more than $300,000 of grants to stage local celebrations for the Queen’s Baton Relay. Grants up to $6000 are available for eligible Queensland councils under the Palaszczuk Government’s Embracing 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay Community Celebrations Grants Program. The Queen’s baton will arrive in the Gladstone region on Saturday 24 March 2018 and will travel through Miriam Vale, Gladstone, Seventeen Seventy and Agnes Water. (-MORE-)
Street level information about the relay route and community celebration details will be announced on 17 November. From 23-year-old youth ambassador for people with a disability Ruby Lawler, to rugby league legend Gary Larson, the Queen’s Baton Relay recognises the achievements and aspirations of all Australians. Baton bearer Gary Larson said: “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to be part of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay. “It will be fantastic to have the relay pass through the Gladstone region and I encourage everyone to come and cheer on the baton bearers.” Baton bearer Ruby Lawler said: “I can’t wait to carry the Queen’s Baton in Gladstone. I watched on TV and saw The Queen put her message into the baton and I am so excited to be one of the baton bearers.” Other baton bearers representing the Gladstone Region are Maxine Brushe, Ian Anderson, Allan Davis, Neale Inskip, Betty Mergard, Chris Palfrey, Mia Poustie, Jonathan Easton, Tracy Hopkins, Debbie Knust, Laura Koefler, Jenny McLeod, Dianne Morris, Donald Morris, Bob Moschoni, Deanne Lawson, Pamela Cawthray, Pauline Dahl, Larry Halbert, Lyn Harms and Jamie Hartwig. GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC said: “We couldn’t be more excited for the baton bearers who will be a part of this rich tradition. “For the baton bearers, this will be a rare and unforgettable experience.” Collectively, across the country, baton bearers will take more than a million steps to bring the baton to its final destination, the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018. In Queensland, there will be more than 1800 baton bearers as the relay travels to 83 communities over 33 days. Media Contacts:
Minister’s Office 07 3719 7530 Council’s Communications and Marketing Team 4977 6803
[email protected]
web: gc2018.com/qbr QBR hashtag: #QBR2018 GC2018 hashtag: #GC2018, #SHARETHEDREAM
