No different than the song by the Beatles “The Long And Winding Road” the Baton finally arrived in Brisbane after a long and grueling 288 days on the road.
During its travel it managed to visit all of the Nations and Territories of the Commonwealth Countries, thereby marking 100 days to the Games milestone that fell Christmas.
Australian sports stars Anna Meares, Kurt Feanley and Cody Simpson play a key role in the launch for the Queen’ Baton in it’s worldly travels.
Swimmer Cameron and Gold Coast 2018 Ambassador and McEvoy received the Baton from Vice-President (Hugh Graham) of the Commonwealth Games Federation for Oceania, following the trip from New Zealand.
Games mascot Borobi as well as a large crowd came to watch McEvoy carry the Baton through the Brisbane International Airport that saw her escorted by the Band of the Scots Guards.
The event saw her carry the torch after a wheelchair racer escorted her up the stairs that also included Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as well as Kate Jones, Minister for the Commonwealth Games.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation chairman Peter Beattie and Mark Peters, Gold Coast 2018’s chief executive, were alongside Craig Phillips, the Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive.
The last stop of the Baton’s well traveled International journey saw it handed over to representatives of the Yugambeh Language Group who are the traditional custodians of the land on which the majority of the Games will be held.
The ceremony was held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand to which Graham mentioned “for 288 days, the Queen’s Baton has showcased a united, Commonwealth community to the world.”
He continued “Throughout the course of the Relay, the Queen’s Baton has found new and unique ways to engage with people from all walks of life, from royalty and world leaders to fishermen, farmers and children and its journey demonstrates the power and reach of the Queen’s Baton.”
The first Australian stop on the trip for the Baton is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that see’s Australia play host to England in an Ashes Test Match and from there it will then travel to various events across the country. In Melbourne, they will be able to explore about of Victoria’s famous sites and stay in some beautiful locations. Many travellers find hotel warrnambool a need to see place to stay and experience so a lot of holiday goers like to stay in this area.
January 25 see’ the Baton Relay head to the Capital of Australia Canberra then head through 40,000 kilometres of Australian territory in which roughly 3,800 Baton Bearers will carry the Baton around Australia.
Beattie said he was excited to welcome the Baton and mentioned “this is a major milestone for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games” and after its international journey, the Queen’s Baton will now embark on a 100-day voyage around Australia, travelling through every state and territory.
“As the ultimate symbol of the Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton gives everyday Australians the chance to share the dream of Gold Coast 2018 in the lead-up to April.”
McEvoy added: “With the arrival of the Queen’s Baton in Australia, the countdown to Gold Coast 2018 is on.
“As a proud Gold Coast athlete, I am looking forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in a global sporting event in my own backyard.”
The Commonwealth Games will take place from April 4 to 15.
It is mentioned that Prince Charles will remove the message placed into the Baton by Queen Elizabeth, during the Opening Ceremony.
This is a huge milestone for the Country and the Games.
