The eyes of the Commonwealth will be on Airlie Beach, Bowen and the Whitsunday Islands on March 19 as we play host to the Queen’s Baton Relay. The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty The Queen through the entire
Commonwealth and started its global journey at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, 13 March 2017. Setting off in Australia on 25 December 2017, the baton has travelled for 100 days to connect with as many people as possible in every state and territory. Collectively across the country, baton bearers will take more than a million steps to take the Baton to its final destination, the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018. Mayor Andrew Willcox said he was delighted the Whitsundays would be hosting the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay.
“It is a great opportunity to recognise the heroes in our community who have been chosen to carry the baton. “It is also an opportunity to showcase and promote our region to people in Australia and the world who have been following the extraordinary journey of the Queen’s Baton.” Residents are encouraged to line the streets and support our baton bearers with the relay starting in Bowen from the Soundshell at 2.56pm on March 19. The Baton will then travel to Airlie Beach, and the relay will start from Abell Point Marina at 5.04pm the same day. To view the relay route, please visit the Queen’s Baton Relay website to check out the interactive map!
The following community members will be carrying the baton proudly through the streets of the Whitsunday Region.
Bowen: Gary Bruce, Edmund Brazil, Veronica Carroll, Max Cockrem, Denver Cross, Jack Groocock, David Insch, Margaret Kostowski, Pam Lawley, Gary Martin, Daniel Merrypor, Monica Oriel, Brian Ryle.
Airlie Beach: Heather Batrick, Lisa Christofersen, Jan Claxton, Gloria Demartini, John Dickinson, Wendy Downes, Lee-Anne Hinschen, Stephen Jackson, Howard McDonald, Georgia Murray, David Nicholas, Tim Oberg.
Whitsunday Islands: Mark Steen, Esther Gaby.
Council is working with specialist traffic management staff and local emergency services to ensure all road closures are smoothly implemented. Delays can be expected so the community is encouraged to plan their travel. For details of road closures visit council’s website – http://www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/589/Commonwealth-Games-Queens-Baton-Relay
PO Box 104 Proserpine Qld 4800 P: 07 4945 0200 F: 07 4945 0222 E: info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au W: www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au ABN 63 291 580 128
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 6 MARCH, 2018
File Ref: CN/12/004
The Queen’s Baton will arrive on the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where Her Majesty’s message from the Baton will be read aloud to declare the Games officially open.
Source: Whitsunday Regional Council Media Release.