REDLANDS paralympic swimmer Daniel Fox and athletics and swim stars Tatiana Grigorieva and Jade Edmistone will head a list of prominent Australians who will carry the Commonwealth Games baton through Cleveland early next year.
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation announced the bearers who will help carry the Queen’s baton to the games on Saturday, March 31.
Leading sports people will be joined by local community service heroes.
Mayor Karen Williams said she was immensely proud of the bearers and the role they would play.
“I am delighted by the names announced today,” Cr Williams said.
“...Community-nominated, our baton bearers showcase Australians who have reached great heights and achieved remarkable things – from sporting successes to ... improving the lives of others.
“It is exciting to see we have Commonwealth, Paralympic and Olympic medalists joining our local leg.
“It is also wonderful to see local heroes such as George Hill, who has dedicated much of his life in the service of surf lifesaving and Keiron Douglass, who continues to work tirelessly to raise funds for children’s hospitals.
“Each and every baton bearer is a well-deserving recipient of this honour and this list recognises and celebrates the diversity of incredible achievement in the community.”
Community celebrations will be announced on November 17.
Games chairman Peter Beattie said being a baton bearer would be unforgettable.
“We couldn’t be more excited for the baton bearers...,” he said.
Bearers for the Cleveland leg are Deborah Acason, Jack de Boer, Kieron Douglass, Jade Edmistone, Daniel Fox, Tatiana Grigorieva, Luke Harvey, George Hill, Jamie Hiscock, Rod Hutton, Ari Jelekainen, Johaan Kaa, Christine Kidd, Jade Lucey, Leon McNiece, Claire Rickard, Dawn Rubie, Mark Urquhart and Edwina Wordsworth.
The baton relay starts its Australian journey on December 25, 2017, 100 days before the opening ceremony.
Since its launch from Buckingham Palace, London, on March 13, the baton has inspired athletes and fans across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe.
It is in Malaysia and is set to visit the remaining 15 Commonwealth nations in Asia and Oceania before arriving in Brisbane on Christmas Eve.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk launched the list of 3800 Australians who will carry the baton.
“The … 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.
Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the baton bearers were in for the experience of a lifetime – one they would cherish for the rest of their lives.
“The games is our once in a lifetime opportunity to show the world what Queensland has to offer,” she said.
The baton will start its final Queensland leg on March 3 at Horn Island, north Queensland, for a month-long journey around the state before the games start on April 4.