Glenorchy city batonbearers share the dream of 2018 Commonwealth Games

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has announced the local batonbearers from Glenorchy City who will carry the Queen’s Baton during the 100-day countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).
Across the community, hundreds of people will get the opportunity to engage with the Baton as it spends quality time in the region. Arriving in Glenorchy on 9 Feb 2018.
Among the batonbearers announced are nineteen-year-old Dakoda Leary of Chigwell who is the current Glenorchy City Council Young Citizen of the Year and has been a member of the Glenorchy Youth Task Force for five years as well as being involved in several community groups and projects.
Mr John Ward from Rosetta is the current Glenorchy Citizen of the Year and has been fighting for the rights of grandparents for about 20 years after he began looking after his own grandchildren and became aware of the lack of support available to grandparents raising grandchildren. John established the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Advisory Council, is currently their Chair. He has received a number of awards over the years, culminating in him being awarded the National Community Services Grandparent of the Year in 2012.
Mr John Allen from Claremont has also been selected as a batonbearer and has served in Lions for 47 years. John has been a past Australia Day Citizen of the Year and currently represents Lions, Sunshine Home, Glenorchy Community Fund, Tasmania Lions Foundation and is an active member of the Glenorchy R.S.L. Bocci Club.
These three excited batonbearers will meet Glenorchy City Council’s Commissioner Sue Smith and General Manager Tony McMullen on Thursday 19 October at 12.30pm to be congratulated on their selection.
Collectively across the country, batonbearers will take more than a million steps to bring the Baton to its final destination, the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.
The uniquely designed Baton starts its Australian journey on 25 December 2017, 100 days before the Opening Ceremony. For one month during the school summer holidays, the Queen’s Baton will visit major events, iconic landmarks and children’s hospitals.
From Canberra on 25 January 2018, the Baton will switch gears to a traditional Relay and be carried by great Australians through QBR celebration communities around the country.
Street level and community celebration details will be announced on 17 November.
Since its launch from Buckingham Palace on 13 March 2017, the Baton has inspired athletes and fans across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Currently it is in Malaysia and is set to visit the remaining 15 Commonwealth nations in Asia and Oceania before arriving in Brisbane on Christmas Eve.
It will be 60 years since a Baton first carried Her Majesty’s message to athletes of the Commonwealth at the Cardiff 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Wales.
GOLDOC showcased the uniforms batonbearers will wear today the first time.
Batonbearer names and the communities that they will carry the Baton in are available at gc2018.com/qbr
Glenorchy City Council Commissioner Sue Smith:
“I am immensely proud of our batonbearers and the role they will take when the Queen’s Baton comes to town. Many have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others, some have accomplished great feats and others are working towards realising their dreams. Being a batonbearer recognises all of this, and more. I encourage you to support these great people in our community, and to share a memorable moment with the Queen’s Baton yourselves.”
GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC:
“We couldn’t be more excited for the batonbearers who will be a part of this rich tradition. We are honoured to have so many great Australians carry Her Majesty’s message for Gold Coast 2018 and we look forward to celebrating their stories and inspiring generations to come.
“For the batonbearers, this will be a rare and unforgettable experience.”
QBR Hashtag: #QBR2018
GC2018 Hashtag: #GC2018, #SHARETHEDREAM
Carolyn Docking Communications and Marketing Advisor Glenorchy City Council