19 Oct, 2017

South Australians run into Commonwealth Games history

Famous sports stars and local heroes, including retired Olympian Stuart O’Grady and the former CEO of Surf Life Saving South Australia, have been named as batonbearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay in the lead up to next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II calling the Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in a peaceful and friendly competition.

Travelling for 388 days throughout all Commonwealth nations and territories, the Baton Relay will be the longest in Commonwealth Games history, with its journey ending at the opening ceremony on the Gold Coast.

Batonbearers will take more than one million steps to deliver the Baton to the ceremony in April 2018, with their journey covering thousands of kilometres across Australia, including South Australia’s Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln, Glenelg, Kangaroo Island and Adelaide.

One of the batonbearers for the Adelaide leg of the Relay is Elaine Farmer, who was the CEO of Surf Life Saving South Australia for 28 years until her retirement in 2014. As well as receiving an Order of Australia Medal in 2000, she was the third woman in history to become a life member of Surf Life Saving Australia in 2012.

Ms. Farmer said she was thrilled to be nominated.

“Sport has always been a passion of mine, and I am overjoyed to be given the opportunity to represent South Australia and connect with the local community,” Ms.Farmer said.

Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese said the relay was an important event that would draw many into the city, and an exciting milestone in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“It delights me to see so many accomplished South Australians on the list of batonbearers representing South Australia internationally,’ the Lord Mayor said.

“With more than 140 batonbearers in total for South Australia and 35 for the Adelaide leg, the relay’s entry into Adelaide on 18 February is an important leg in the baton’s journey.”

For more information visit the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games website at gc2018.com/qbr

#sharethedream #GC2018 #QBR2018

Paula Stevens