Everyone is invited to spectate at what will be an historic event for Kiama, when the Queen’s Baton Relay for the Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games arrives in Kiama on Monday, February 5.
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Kiama is one of only four communities on the Queen’s Baton’s route from Sydney to Melbourne selected by the Commonwealth Games Corporation.
Beginning at Kiama Leisure Centre at 12.58pm, the Queen’s Baton will pass into the hands of 15 Baton Bearers who will each carry the baton along the route down Terralong Street and into Kiama Showground.
Kiama residents selected for the baton bearing honour are Colin Rathbone (Kiama), David Leigh (Kiama), Heather McAlpine (Minnamurra), Kathleen Tanner (Kiama), Lloyd Ferguson (Gerringong), Nick McInerney (Kiama), and Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa).
They will be joined by other baton bearers from the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Sydney areas; Captain Fiona Sneath (Nowra), Don Hodgekiss (Warilla), Donald Brown (Oak Flats), John Chaplin (Mt Warrigal), Karen Murphy (Shell Cove), Kim Lacey (Oak Flats), Nayeli Gajardo (Sylvania), and Paul Houghton.
Live music will play along the route leading up to the relay, with several gold coin donation sausage sizzles available between 12 – 1pm.
The main entertainment by roving jazz band Hot Potato will start at the Showground Oval at 12.30pm, up until Sally Fitzgibbons arrives carrying the baton into the Showground at 1.40pm.
Sally will be accompanied by the Parade of Commonwealth Flags around the oval, along with didgeridoo player Dale Wright.
A Welcome to Country, singing of the National Anthem in Dharawal and English by a combined choir of Kiama’s six local schools, and brief speech by Kiama Mayor Mark Honey will take place on a stage at the southern end of the oval between 1.47-1.53pm.
This will be followed by the landing of HMAS Albatross’s new combat helicopter M60HR Romeo.
Sally will then hand the baton over to HMAS Albatross Captain Fiona Sneath who will board the aircraft for departure to Nowra.
“It is an absolute honour to have Kiama selected for the Queen’s Baton Relay,” Cr Honey said.
“I encourage everyone to come and witness this historic event.
“Come and cheer on our Baton Bearers as they enjoy the well-deserved privilege of representing our country in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games.”
