GC2018 Queen's Baton Makes First Public Appearance on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton has made its first public appearance on the Gold Coast today, featuring as part of the Magic Millions Barrier Draw at Surfers Paradise Foreshore.

Batonbearer Hugh Bowman, recently named as the Longines World’s Best Jockey, held the Queen’s Baton with pride as he rode down the famous beach strip in the Barrier Draw’s morning beach run.

In another royal connection, Zara Phillips MBE was also on hand at Surfers Paradise to welcome the Queen's Baton.

85 days before the start of GC2018, plenty of Gold Coast locals and visitors at the Magic Millions Barrier Draw took the opportunity to get up close and personal with the iconic symbol of the Commonwealth Games.

On the final day of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR), Wednesday 4 April, the Queen’s Baton will return to Surfers Paradise just hours before reaching its final destination, the GC2018 Opening Ceremony at Carrara Stadium.

Batonbearer Hugh Bowman:

"After the Queen’s Baton has travelled to so many places around the world, it is great to be a part of the first appearance of the Queen’s Baton on the Gold Coast.

"Being the first Batonbearer on the Gold Coast is an honour and it has been wonderful to share the excitement of GC2018 with everyone who attended the Magic Millions Barrier Draw today."

The next port of call for the Queen’s Baton is a community celebration tomorrow on Palm Island, with visits to the Gold Coast’s Springbrook National Park and the Q1 SkyPoint Climb scheduled for this Friday, 12 January.

The Queen’s Baton will be back in Queensland in traditional Relay mode from 3 March and will be carried by more than 1,800 batonbearers throughout the state. Crowds are encouraged to line the streets and play their part in the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay.

All details, including a full list of batonbearers and an interactive map, can be found at gc2018.com/qbr

Follow the Queen’s Baton journey

QBR URL: gc2018.com/qbr

QBR Hashtag: #QBR2018

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Michelle Gillett – michelle.gillett@goldoc.com / +61 411 546 135

Media Team, Queen’s Baton Relay

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

Trish Quayle – trish.quayle@goldoc.com / +61 466 355 886

Communications and Marketing Manager, Queen’s Baton Relay

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

Background

The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) has connected the Gold Coast with the entire Commonwealth.

The Baton has been passed between thousands of people across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe Asia and Oceania, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

The GC2018 Relay is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000 kilometres.

The Baton engaged with all Commonwealth nations and territories of Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania for 288 days before arriving in Australia for a further 100 days.

Approximately 3,800 batonbearers will carry it through every state and territory in Australia.

The Relay started on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed Her message inside of the Baton.

The distinctive design of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton captures the boundless energy of the Gold Coast. In form and inspiration, the 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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