EVERY step on the Queen’s Baton Relay showed community pride.
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The Baton was carried through Armidale by 18 local inspirations.
Anaiwan elder Steve Widders took one leg of the journey, despite his vision impairment.
“It’s a great honour to represent my community here and to be chosen as a baton bearer,” he said.
“I’m part of the Commonwealth, I’m an Australian citizen, I’m an Aboriginal person and I walked on my traditional land.
“It’s something Aboriginal people have been doing for a long time.”
Guinness World Record breaker Anthony Kelly wouldn’t let the relay get in the way of giving his mum a hug and stopping for a selfie with school students.
While Rochelle Joyce stopped to high five her supporters from Armidale City Public School.
In one of the quickest 200 metre walks, Greg Blanch sprinted to cheers from the community and mum Ruth.
I’m part of the Commonwealth, I’m an Australian citizen, I’m an Aboriginal person and I walked on my traditional land.
- Steve Widders
“I was really excited when they said I was going to do it,” Mr Blanch said.
Handing the baton to Jock Bullen, they gave each other a heartfelt hug.
Armidale Regional Council mayor Simon Murray was ready at the finish line to welcome Tour de Rocks organiser Kay Endres.
“As our leaders travel through the Armidale city, the baton bearers highlight it really is an event that brings together our whole region,” Cr Murray said.
“Our 18 baton relay bearers this morning include a number of sporting and community leaders from the outlying areas of our council – but they also come from the Uralla and Inverell local government areas.
“Thank you to each of the baton bearers who have participated and represented our community.”
The Queen’s Baton Relay baton bearers included Sara Lynch, George Lowrey, Bruce Favell, Chris Doherty, Dennis Carson, Julie Gates, William Brunsdon, Steve Widders, Rochelle Joyce, Wayne Sharpe, Anthony Kelly, Fiona Bedford, David Boundy, Ron Jackson, Gregory Blanch, Jock Bullen, Aiden Kurikka and Kay Endres.
The Queen’s Baton Relay celebrates diversity, pride of place and culture.
It carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that calls on Commonwealth athletes to come together in peaceful competition.
The Gold Coast 2018 Relay is the longest ever.
It started on March 2017 at Buckingham Palace, the Baton will go on a 388 day journey through all the nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
It will arrive on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on April 4.
The message will be removed from the Baton by Her Majesty or a representative and read to officially open the Games.
From Armidale, the Baton will next travel through Bellingen and head up the coast to Coffs Harbour.
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will welcome more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
