Kate Butterfield of Bermagui and Tony Fahey from Dalmeny are among 28 local baton bearers have been chosen from the Far South Coast to carry the Queen’s Baton for the Commonwealth Games.
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The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation has announced the baton bearers from the Far South Coast who will carry the Queen’s Baton during the 100-day countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The 28 local baton bearers have been chosen to carry the baton, which will arrive in Batemans Bay on Tuesday, February 6 for a community celebration at Corrigans Reserve.
Organisers called for nominations for local legends to be part of the Baton’s journey back in May. Each local batonbearer for will carry the baton for 200 metres as it makes its way through Batemans Bay.
Ms Butterfield is a former police officer with post traumatic stress disorder, who started the Run Brave initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of running for those struggling with mental health issues.
She has created a fun, supportive and encouraging environment for people of all fitness levels to complete a five-kilometre event across Australia in 2016, fostering community spirit and raising $1,853 for Lifeline.
Her initiative is constantly growing in popularity and all participants are benefitting from improved physical and mental health through connection with other like-minded people, at all stages of fitness. Kate won the fun run in the 2016 ReBoot Bermagui event.
Mr Fahey meanwhile is a principal at Narooma High School and has been very active in the education and community sectors of the local community. He survived the Nepal earthquake while on a Rotary volunteer trip.
The baton starts its Australian journey on December 25, 100 days before reaching the Games’ Opening Ceremony on the Gold Coast on April 4, 2018.
The Queen’s Baton will visit major events, iconic landmarks and children’s hospitals during the summer school holidays before switching to a traditional relay in Canberra on January 25.
Traveling south from Sydney, the Baton will arrive in Nowra on February 5 and Batemans Bay on February 6 before departing for Tasmania.
Details about the community celebration in Batemans Bay will be announced on November 17.
Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes congratulated the Far South Coast locals chosen to carry the baton as it makes its way through Batemans Bay.
“The wonderful people selected for this special task have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others. Some have accomplished great feats and others are working towards realising their dreams,” Mrs Innes said.
“Being a baton bearer recognises all of this and more. For them, this will be a rare and unforgettable experience and I encourage everyone to share the excitement and get behind the relay when it comes to Batemans Bay in February.”
The baton launched from Buckingham Palace on March 13, 2017 and has made its way across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Currently in Malaysia, it is set to visit the remaining 15 Commonwealth nations in Asia and Oceania before arriving in Brisbane on Christmas Eve.
