Gold Coast 2018: Everything you need to know about the Queen’s Baton Relay

UNLESS you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the Queen’s Baton Relay. But if you’re not quite sure what it’s all about, here is everything you need to know.

UNLESS you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the Queen’s Baton Relay.

But if you’re not quite sure what it’s all about, here is everything you need to know.

Games ambassador and athlete Sally Pearson with the Queens Baton looking over the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

What is the Queen’s Baton Relay and its history?

The relay is a Games tradition that celebrates the Commonwealth’s diversity, inspires community pride and excites people about the world-class festival of sports and culture to come. The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that calls the Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in peaceful and friendly competition.

The GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay marks 60 years since a message from Her Majesty The Queen was first placed inside a Baton for the 1958 Cardiff Games. When the GC2018 Queen’s Baton was recently in Cardiff, original 1958 Baton bearer, Bill Sweetman got to carry the Baton again.

How long is the 2018 relay?

388 days in total — 288 international, 100 in Australia. Travels 230,000km, 40,000km in Australia.

How can I watch the baton relay?

The street level detail of exactly where the baton will travel in each community and where the public can be a part of QBR celebrations will be announced on November 17. You will also be able to follow the baton in real time at gc2018.com/qbr, keep up to date with photos and video on social media @gc2018, and through your local news channels.

Are all locations accessible?

Celebration locations and specific QBR street level details where crowds are encouraged to cheers on baton bearers will be revealed on 17 November.

How is it determined where the baton travels?

The GC2018 Relay has been designed to be as inclusive as possible. The baton will spend quality time in communities and not just run down the main street.

Celebration communities have been selected through a collaborative decision process between each state and territory working group and GOLDOC. Australia is a large nation to cover, so the GC2018 Relay has been planned keeping within the geographic challenges, operational constraints on timing and predetermined dates for the Queen’s Baton Relay to arrive on the Gold Coast in time for the Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.

Who can carry the baton and how are they selected?

Batonbearers are outstanding individuals who inspire others with their passion and commitment to sport and community.

A batonbearer is someone who meets one or more of the following criteria: Has achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary; has made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community; has excelled, or aspires to excel athletically or personally; who contributes to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community.

Batonbearers were nominated by someone who knows them; family, friends, peers, colleagues and fellow community members. Nominations were open to the public online from 5 March to 15 May 2017 and required a 100-word nomination story to be included.

Batonbearers have to be an Australian Citizen or lawfully entitled to reside in Australia during the Relay period (25 December 2017 to 4 April 2018) and be 10-years-old by the start of the Relay.

Nominations were judged individually on a merit-based system according to the selection criteria. Independent judging panels were used in each state and territory to ensure a fair and transparent process.

How many baton bearers are there?

Approximately 3800 baton bearers will carry the Queen’s Baton around Australia.

How many locations does it visit?

The GC2018 Queen’s Baton will visit 180 celebration communities across all states and territories of Australia.

Will there be an event to mark its final stop on the Gold Coast?

The Queen’s Baton Relay will conclude at the Gold Coast 2018 Opening Ceremony on April 4, 2018, where Her Majesty’s representative, Prince Charles, will remove the message from the Baton and read it aloud to officially open the Games.