Redlands’ residents can begin planning their Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) experience with the street-level detail and community celebrations now available to explore at gc2018.com/qbr.
Both North Stradbroke Island and Cleveland will welcome the Queen’s Baton with packed programs of free events organised by Redland City Council.
The Straddie celebration will be from 2pm-4pm on Monday 8 January 2018 at Point Lookout’s Headland Park, where the Queen’s Baton will be carried by Aunty Rose Borey, a Quandamooka Traditional Owner and respected Elder.
You may also like these stories
You will get to meet local artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins who has designed the coast-inspired Commonwealth Games medals.
The celebration, emceeded by Mark Beretta of Channel 7’s Sunrise, will feature a traditional smoking ceremony, cultural demonstrations, the Yulu-Burra-Ba dancers, sand art, bush tucker experiences, workshops and kids’ activities.
Free shuttle buses will operate to and from the water taxis at Dunwich and at One Mile.
On Easter Saturday 31 March 2018, the Queen’s Baton Relay will start at Cleveland Lighthouse Reserve, making its way along North Street, Shore Street North and Shore Street West before arriving at Raby Bay Harbour Park, where there will be a free community celebration from 8.30am-12.30pm.
Redlander and TV personality Lincoln Lewis and Olympic Gold medallist and beach volleyball star Natalie Cook OAM will emcee the event, which will feature a traditional ceremony, cultural demonstrations and workshops, activities, the Yulu-Burra-Ba dancers and live entertainment.
The Baton will then continue to Waterloo Street before it leaves the Redlands and continues to Brisbane.
You can find out when and where the baton will be in the Redlands at www.redland.qld.gov.au/gc2018 and www.gc2018.com/qbr .
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said that to have two Queen’s Baton events in the Redlands was quite a coup.
“It is exciting that the Baton gets to go to Straddie, home of Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, whose wonderful coast-inspired designs have been selected for the Commonwealth Games medal,’’ Cr Williams said.
“It means we have two opportunities to be part of what promises to be a very special event.
“I know Redlanders won’t need much encouragement to celebrate at the free community events, as well as line the route to see the 19 batonbearers carry the Queen’s Baton through Cleveland.
“There will be free shuttle buses from Straddie’s water taxis to get you to Point Lookout, while there will be plenty of designated parking throughout the city for the Cleveland event, which will be right next to the train station.”
After travelling an astonishing 288 days throughout the Commonwealth, the Queen’s Baton will arrive onto Australian soil in Brisbane on 24 December 2017, having shared the dream of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (C2018) with over one third of the world’s population.
From Christmas Day until 24 January 2018, the Queen’s Baton will be shared with thousands of Australians at popular summertime events, iconic locations and children’s hospitals around the country.
From 25 January 2018, the QBR will shift gears to a more traditional relay, where the Queen’s Baton will celebrate Australia Day, before continuing in the hands of approximately 3800 batonbearers through every state and territory.
As the Queen’s Baton travels the length and breadth of Australia, the QBR will not just pass through, but spend quality time in each community it visits, calling into hundreds of local schools and community celebrations along the way.
The Queen’s Baton will arrive on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games officially open.
Batonbearers will be informed of their street-specific slotting location in December. Details will be updated at gc2018.com/qbr in the weeks prior to the Baton arriving into a celebration community.
GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie AC:
“Rather than just pass through, the Relay has been designed to spend quality time in communities across Australia so that as many people as possible can be a part of the Baton’s journey and share in the excitement of GC2018.
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is a global journey that will soon reach Australia, reminding us all that GC2018, the largest sporting event Australia will see this decade, is just around the corner.”
QBR website: gc2018.com/qbr
QBR Hashtag: #QBR2018
GC2018 Hashtag: #GC2018, #SHARETHEDREAM
