List of baton-bearers for Queen’s relay unveiled

18 October, 2017

The list of central west residents to carry the baton as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay when it journeys though Orange in January next year has been unveiled.

The eighteen baton bearers, who will each take a 200-metre leg of the relay, come from Orange, Bathurst, Blayney and other centres.

Community events will be held in Orange to mark the visit of the baton on the morning of Tuesday 30 January 2018. Visits are planned at the Civic Square/Museum forecourt and the Anzac Park sports precinct.

Orange Deputy Mayor Joanne McRae said she’s looking forward to seeing the baton making its trip through the streets of Orange.

“These eighteen people come from many different facets of the central west community,” Cr Joanne McRae said.

“Their diverse age-groups and backgrounds from sport to community service show the rich fabric of community we live in.”

The eighteen baton bearers are :

• Louise Best (Mudgee)
• Harry Betts (Ophir)
• Edwina Bone (East Victoria Park)
• Jenni Buckley (Mudgee)
• Pearl Butcher (Orange)
• John Collins (Orange)
• Desmond Crawford (Bathurst)
• Toireasa Gallagher (Perthville)
• Anthony Gorringe (Orange)
• Les Hopkins (Blayney)
• David Howe (Orange)
• LaToya James (Bronte)
• Kathleen Keech (White Rock)
• Anthony Rodd (Orange)
• Carolyn Sheehan (Mudgee)
• Mary Trainor (Orange
• Russell Tym (Orange)
• Anna Windsor (Orange)

Orange resident Anthony Gorringe, OAM has been profoundly deaf since the age of two.

He was born in 1942. He has made great contributions to the deaf community, particularly in lawn bowls. He has represented NSW and Australia in this sport and has served as president of both the state and national association of Deaf Lawn Bowls.

“I am honoured to be chosen as a baton bearer for the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay,” Anthony Gorringe said. “I am looking forward to this event in January. I’d like to thank my grandson, Paul for nominating me.”

BEARERS : Orange residents who will carrying the Queen's Baton meet up with Deputy Mayor Joanne McRae at the Regional Museum (at rear l. to r.) Dr David Howe, John Collins, Cr Joanne McRae, Anthony Gorringe, Russell Tym and (at front l.to r.) Sr Mary Trainor, Pearl Butcher and Tony Rodd.

Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed the list of approximately 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 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.

“There is a 90 year age range across the batonbearers, from 100 year old Bill Bruce from Nebo, to 10 year old Corbin Easton from Caloundra,” the Premier said.

The traditional relay begins 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 17 November.

Since its launch from Buckingham Palace on 13 March 2017, 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.