As names of baton bearers for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Queens Baton Relay are announced, Cloncurry celebrates its special dozen.
In the North West there will be 42 relayers in Mount Isa, 13 in Winton, 12 in Cloncurry, 10 in Hughenden and five in Birdsville.
Mayor Greg Campbell says the Cloncurry baton bearers are a great diverse group and will be proud ambassadors for the Shire.
“With a mix of youth and experience, sporting achievers and community workers, the group displays all the positive attributes of the commonwealth games, in their actions,” he said.
“Now that we know who our baton bearers are, we will be able to proudly highlight their achievements between now and the relay.”
Cloncurry Shire Council’s Acting Media and Public Relations Officer – Executive Office, Tristin Condon, said the list includes well known names and some hidden gems.
“They may not all be well known because there’s a lot of quiet achievers, especially in this small community,” Mr Condon said.
“Another great thing is people are so willing to put up their hand to try and be community minded, and not necessarily looking for accolades, so its brilliant to be able to give those quiet achievers a little bit of recognition.”
Mr Condon said it was a great opportunity for the baton bearers to celebrate whatever got them nominated.
"I think it’s very important that people celebrate their successes, because it can be often a very hard road, and people are often reluctant to celebrate their achievements. I’m a firm believer that that (hardship) can inspire you for the road ahead,” Mr Condon said.
“Obviously it is very exciting, we are really looking forward to March next year.”
Among the bearers are local sport stars, rodeo queens, emergency services personnel, and school students.
The 12 Cloncurry baton bearers are:
Darcie-Lee Ashton
Joe Bakhash
Don Bowley
Tanya Brown
Raymond Campbell
Tristin Condon
Storm Crossland
Brandee Ferguson
Harleigh O’Brien
Haylee Scanlan
Bessie Smits
Amy Tinning
The baton arrives in Cloncurry on Tuesday March 6 and will travel down the Barkly Highway to Mount Isa that day, where it will stay overnight before flying down to Birdsville on Wednesday March 7.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed the list of around 3800 relayers who will carry the Queen’s Baton on its 100-day journey across Australia 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 lists of names have been compiled by judging panels in each state and territory, allowing local knowledge to play the greatest possible role in the selection process,” the Premier said.
“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.
“Collectively, our baton bearers will take more than a million steps through every state and territory, sharing the excitement of GC2018 with regional and remote communities.”