Novocastrians Ready to Carry the Baton for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

BY JESSICA ROUSE

More than 20 Novocastrians have been named as participants in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay.

Among the 3,800 Australians carrying the baton are Newcastle and Hunter athletes Kurt Fearnley, Maddison Elliott, Alex McKinnon and Christie Dawes.

The Queen's baton will undertake a 100 day journey across Australia in the lead up to the games in APRIL next year.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the list of names this morning which had been selected through a community nomination program.

'The batonbearers recognise the achievements and aspirations of Australians from all walks of life, from ambitious 10-year-olds to humble volunteers and well-known Australians from a variety of fields," said the Premier.

For the full list of batonbearers head to: https://www.gc2018.com/qbr/batonbearers 

Cessnock City Council want in on the 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay

BY JARROD MELMETH

Cessnock City Councillors have unanimously supported an urgency motion to write to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation and request that the Hunter Valley vineyards be included in the Queen's Baton Relay.

The Queen's Baton carries a message to the athletes of the Commonwealth from Queen Elizabeth II, which embarks on a journey around the world from Buckingham Palace to the Opening Ceremony of the Games, where the message is removed and read out.

Cessnock City Mayor, Bob Pynsent has welcomed the motion.

“This is a fantastic idea and a great opportunity for not only our residents, who would no doubt turn out in their thousands to support the event, but also to promote our wonderful region.

"When Cessnock was a part of the Sydney Olympic torch relay, it was such a great festival and showcasing of the vineyards and the tourist potential of the area," Mr Pynsent said.

Residents are being encouraged to nominate local batonbearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

From left: Sydney torch bearer Jan Williams, Councillor Jay
Suvaal & Mayor Bob Pynsent.