Grenfell residents will have the opportunity to witness the Queen’s Baton Relay when it passes through Forbes on Monday, January 29 on its journey to the opening ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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The 14 members of the Forbes community who have been nominated and selected to run with the macadamia wood, stainless steel and reclaimed plastic baton designed using surfboard dynamics and design principles have received their uniforms and instructions.
They have also been advised of the route they will carry the baton as it makes its way through Forbes, 35 days after it landed in Australia.
Wendy Green, Robyn Kenny, Paul Cameron, Ethan Markwort, Rob Willis, Lester Sheather, Peter Moore, Chris Roylance, Phil Adams, Denise Jelbart, Yvonne Shaw, Taylah Hemming, James Smart and Robyn Lyell have been selected to escort the baton through town with a celebration event being held for the whole community.
To commence the baton's journey in Forbes, it will travel along the lake on a dragon boat, from there it will begin its land journey at the bowling club, to the skate park, to Stephan Field for the community celebration, then the baton will be escorted to the Forbes Golf Club where it will then continue onto Parkes.
"It is a very great honour to have such a fine group of people selected from our community to carry the baton and for our town to be able to host an event for the baton relay," Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller said.
"I really encourage everyone to come down and celebrate with our baton bearers. I think it will be one of those special events that we will always remember.”
The community celebration will acknowledge our Amazing Forbes with music, peach ice cream and entertainment including a skateboard demonstration, it will commence at 2pm with the baton to arrive at approximately 2.30pm.
Mayor Miller also encouraged people to show support for the baton bearers as it passes through town.
"Please come out and cheer along the baton and its bearers, lets show everyone what a supportive community we are," he added.
The journey for the Queen's Baton began at Buckingham Palace on March 13, 2017 and will finish at Main Beach on the Gold Coast on April 4, 2018, a 388 day journey through all the Commonwealth countries. When the Queen's Baton arrives at the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games a message from the queen will removed and read to officially open the games.
