Thousands of Redlanders and those from further afield are expected to turn out for a star-studded community celebration as the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay comes to Cleveland before heading to the Gold Coast.
Organised by Redland City Council, the community celebration will include free entertainment headlined by Australian singer Casey Donovan and Brisbane folk rock band The Fergies.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams encouraged people to get online to find the best vantage point for the relay that starts at Cleveland Lighthouse and makes its way to Raby Bay Harbour Park, another picturesque waterfront location, where the main celebrations will be held.
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“Come and try some sports and activities in the spirit of the Commonwealth Games at our free community celebration. We’ll have a large trapeze for the public to use, volleyball, gymnastics and long jump,’’ Cr Williams said.
“Olympic beach volleyball champion Natalie Cook will be there to give you some tips, as well as MC the event alongside TV personality and proud Redlander Lincoln Lewis.
“There will be cultural displays and demonstrations by Quandamooka traditional owner Matt Burns, weaving workshops and performances by the Yulu Burri Ba Dancers, with a sensational concert headlined by Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan and also featuring popular Brisbane folk rock group The Fergies.
“It really will be an action-packed event from 8.30am.”
Cr Williams said the eyes of the Commonwealth would be on the Redlands with the Cleveland leg of the relay to be televised nationally.
“Businesses along the route are getting into the spirit of the celebration with special breakfasts and sausage sizzles. It really will show off the wonderful lifestyle, hospitality and natural environment of the Redlands,’’ Cr Williams said.
The Grand View Hotel, the oldest licensed pub in Queensland, is putting on a themed breakfast, Redland City Lion’s Club will be firing up its barbeque from 7am for the community, the Lighthouse Restaurant on the bay’s edge will be open for breakfast and Cleveland Sharks Bowls Club will be putting on a special celebration.
As part of the celebrations, the Redland Art Gallery will be open to showcase Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins’ Games medal designs.
Cr Williams said there would be free public transport to help locals and visitors to get to and around the event.
“TransLink, in conjunction with Transdev and Queensland Rail, will provide free bus and train travel on selected routes between 4.30am–4.30pm on the Saturday,’’ Cr Williams said.
“Special Queen’s Baton Relay tickets are required to travel for free for which you can register and find out more information via Council’s website at www.redland.qld.com.au/qbr.”
WHAT’S ON WHEN
8.30am – Community celebration begins at Raby Bay Harbour Park, hosted by Lincoln Lewis and Natalie Cook OAM.
9.00am – Relay starts Cleveland Point (the lighthouse).
9.40am – The Queen’s Baton arrives at the community celebration.
10.15am – Casey Donovan performs live.
11.00am – Special guest interviews.
11.25am – Cultural demonstration by Quandamooka’s Matthew Burns.
11.50am – Live performance by The Fergies.
WHO’S CARRYING THE BATON
Baton bearers for the Cleveland leg include locals nominated by the community as well as national sports stars. They are:
- Daniel Fox: Paralympian Daniel “Foxy” Fox, 25, is an exemplary man from the Redlands who embodies Commonwealth Games values. His sporting achievements and contributions to his community are an inspiration to others.
- Jack de Boer: After Jack’s first visit to Burma during Year 7, he had a group assignment that involved doing something for a charity. It led to Bike Ride for Burma, which has since raised thousands of dollars to build an education and training centre for Burmese children.
- Deborah Acason: Deborah has an impressive collection of Commonwealth Games weightlifting medals and embodies the spirit of the Games.
- Kieron Douglass: Kieron is a long-distance running Athlete Ambassador for both Juiced TV based at Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital and for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
- Ari Jelekainen: Ari has dedicated his professional life to the development of sports surfacing systems to enhance performance and safety within the Australasian sporting community. He takes pride in sponsoring and supporting local and interstate sporting groups.
- Dawn Rubie: Dawn has been a committed member of both the Redlands and surf lifesaving communities for more than 20 years, dedicating her time and love to the Coochiemudlo Island SLSC.
- Jade Edmistone: The former world champion swimmer set five world records and collected three World Champion titles. Now active in his community, he has written a book that highlights mental health and the serious issue of supporting athlete transition into “normal” life.
- Luke Harvey: Luke inspires other as a senior leader at Victoria Point State High School and would love the opportunity to represent the Redlands at future Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
- George Hill: George is a lifesaver’s lifesaver, with his more than four decades’ of passion and dedication to surf lifesaving leading to a safer Queensland, including the implementation of dawn patrols.
- Leon McNiece: Entrepreneur Leon is passionate about people and adding value to their lives, through health, fitness and entertainment.
- Christine Kidd: A Karragarra islander and vet, Christine has dedicated her life to the care of animals. She also is focused on helping senior residents remain in their own home with their pets by providing 24-hour care if required. She is a wonderful mentor to both international and local veterinary students and nurses.
- Claire Rickard: Prof Rickard leads the Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research group within the Optimising Health Outcomes program of MHIQ.
- Andrew Leigh-Forster: There would be no Special Olympics basketball in Redlands if it wasn’t for Andrew.
- Jade Lucey: Jade is an inspiration to many, because although not born a natural athlete, she is persistent in her efforts to achieve. Jade always has a smile and words of encouragement for others who might be struggling along the way.
- Johaan Kaa: “No hands, no feet, no excuses” is the philosophy that inspirational Redlander Johaan Kaa lives by after nearly losing his life, and tragically losing both hands and feet, after contracting meningococcal septicemia in 2014.
- Tatiana Grigorieva: Silver medallist at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, Tatiana is one of Australia’s most celebrated Commonwealth Games performers.
- Adrian Rowe: Adrian is a true lifesaver, performing CPR for 20 minutes on a collapsed woman in Cleveland until paramedics arrived, refusing to give up. That woman, Imogen Donaghy, is alive today because of it.
- Edwina Wordsworth: Edwina has been vital to the growth and success of major sporting events around Australia.
- Mark Urquhart: Mark is a double amputee and paraplegic following two parachute accidents while serving in the Australian Defence Force. In a wheelchair since 2008, he now has a string of sporting achievements to his credit while also learning to walk again.
