Local batonbearers prepare to share the dream of Commonwealth Games

Published on 18 October 2017

Queens Baton Relay.jpg

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has announced the 17 local batonbearers 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 Mildura on February 17.

17 year old Nicholas Fasso-Opie, a student at St Joseph’s College and Olympic and Commonwealth Games shooting champion Bryan Wilson are just two of the 17 locals who will carry the Baton when it travels through Mildura.

A young man who has made an extraordinary contribution to his school, Nicholas has been the leader of Mercy Social Justice Group for the last two years. This year Nicholas is representing his school at an international Mercy Conference in Ireland. He has been a member of the Mildura Brass Band for the last eight years and spends approximately 150 hours at community events. He was also a Victorian representative at the 100 year celebrations at Gallipoli in 2016 and has been awarded as the Mildura Lions Youth of the Year.

Currently a Board member of the Sunraysia Academy of Sport, Bryan Wilson competed at state, national and international level in shooting, with a career spanning more than 30 years. He competed in four Olympics and two Commonwealth Games, winning a gold medal in shooting at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. During his career, he ran talent camps for juniors and coaching clinics and continues to support young athletes to reach their full potential.

Deputy Mayor Jason Modica said he was immensely proud of all the local batonbearers and the role they would play when the Queen’s Baton comes to town on February 17.

“Many have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others, some have accomplished great feats and others are working towards realising their dreams,” Cr Modica said.

“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.”

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.

Details of the community celebration to coincide with the Baton’s arrival in Mildura 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.

A full list of batonbearers for Mildura is outlined below:

 First Name  Surname  Home Town

Kiarah

Birthisel

Red Cliffs

David

Browne

Red Cliffs

Amanda

Doolan

Mildura

Nicholas

Fasso-Opie

Mildura

Richard

Garlick

Mildura

Jodie

Gibson

Mildura

Jessica

Hall

Merbein West

Carmel

MacKay

Mildura

Philip

Opie

Mildura

Ian

Rowland

Irymple

Len

Spence

Irymple

Paul

Takacs

Mildura

Jeff

Topp

Mildura

Georgia

Topp

Mildura

Colin

Watson

Mildura

Bryan

Wilson

Mildura

Graeme

Worthington

Birdwoodton

 

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