: interview with GC2018 Batonbearer and Birdsville local, Nadine Lorenz, general vision of Birdsville and B-roll.
When people think of the remote Queensland town of Birdsville, they think of isolation, the annual Races and the iconic Birdsville Hotel. But for the people that live in Birdsville and the surrounding Diamantina Shire region, having the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen's Baton in town was an opportunity to recognise so much more.
The usual Queen's Baton Relay vehicles were not needed as five batonbearers proudly carried the Queen's Baton from the school, down the street, around the oval and into their community celebration.
Beverley and Kerry Morton, mother and son from a family of five generations in the region, David Brooke who's local ventures include the Roadhouse and that iconic Hotel, and Trevor Stewart who keeps the town moving in his work for the Council.
Over 20 years ago, Batonbearer Nadine Lorenz moved to Birdsville from Mackay to be a nanny for only 6 months, and never left.
"People come here as a tourist place, but today just goes to show that the community think a lot of the people that live here. So having something like this come [to town] is so wonderful."
"It's a very special thing to be nominated and a suprise in a way to be able to represent the community. Ýou know that you're one of only a select few that get to hold the [Queen's Baton]. It's pretty awesome."
For a town with a population of only 120, they matched the spirit of a whole country, gathering on the street to join in the fun and be a part of the Queen's Baton Relay in Birdsville. An "Outback Relay" was then on the cards with sack races and tug of war.
The GC2018 Queen's Baton will arrive in Roma this afternoon to continue the Relay through Central Queensland.
Trish Quayle – [email protected] / +61 466 355 886
Communications and Marketing Manager, Queen’s Baton Relay
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)
QBR URL: gc2018.com/qbr
QBR Hashtag: #QBR2018
The Queen’s Baton Relay is counting down the days until the start of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).
In Australia, the Queen’s Baton will traverse 40,000km, travelling through every state and territory for 100 days.
Approximately 3,800 batonbearers will carry the Queen’s Baton across Australia.
The Queen’s Baton Relay started on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed Her message inside of the Baton.
The Queen’s Baton has already been passed between thousands of people for 288 days across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000km.
The distinctive design of the Queen’s Baton captures the boundless energy of the Gold Coast. In form and inspiration, the Queen’s Baton is a symbol of our past, present and future.
The Queen’s Baton arrives on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where HRH The Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games open. ---
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