With the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on the home stretch, official baton bearers have been selected from towns and cities across the country.
Among those selected, two men from Rockingham will represent their communities during Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s baton relay.
Robert Bates and John Ree were the two men selected.
On Wednesday Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed the list of around 3,800 Australians who will carry the Queen’s Baton on its 100-day journey across the nation in the lead- up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Premier said the list of names, selected through a community nomination program, is a great reflection of Australia.
“The baton bearers 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,” she said.
A committed, inspirational community member, Mr Bates has contributed more than 500 patrolling hours and has raised over $150,000 in grants sponsorship for Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club.
The 50-year-old was awarded DHL Australian Surf Lifesaver in 2014 for his contribution to surf lifesaving.
Mr Bates has claimed medals at club, state and national level.
He was also recognised by the City of Rockingham receiving the Sports Star of Year award 2014.
At the club Mr Bates mentors both youth and mature members.
Outside of surf life saving, Mr Bates has received two Prime Minister awards for working with people with disabilities.
Retired firefighter Mr Ree was also named as an official baton bearer.
The 76-year-old has been an active member of St John Ambulance for over 59 years.
Mr Ree holds the title of Knight of the Order of St John.
In his time of service, he has done more than of 15,000 volunteer hours.
Mr Ree is also involved in veteran’s hockey and has represented Western Australia on many occasions interstate and overseas.
During the announcement on Wednesday the Premier also revealed the uniform that baton bearers will get to wear with pride as they carry the Baton.
Minister for the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones said the baton bearers were in for the experience of a lifetime - one that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
“I’m proud that so many inspirational Queenslanders have taken up the Baton to be part of our country’s biggest ever sporting event.
“The Games is our once in a lifetime opportunity to show the world what Queensland has to offer.”
The Baton lands in Brisbane to start the final leg of its journey on Christmas Eve this year.
For one month during the school summer holidays, the Queen’s Baton will visit major events, iconic landmarks and children’s hospitals across the country.
The traditional relay will resume in Canberra on 25 January 2018 and will be carried by great Australians through QBR celebration communities around the country.
The Baton’s activity during the school holidays and the street-level detail through celebration communities will be revealed on November 17.
Since its launch from Buckingham Palace on March 13, 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 Australia 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.
Baton bearer names and the communities that they will carry the Baton in are available at gc2018.com/qbr.
