Torquay bearers revealed for Queen’s Baton Relay

AN ANGLESEA resident who started a nippers program for young people with a disability is among those chosen to carry the Queen’s Baton through the Geelong region in the lead-up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club’s Janet Jones has been named as one of the batonbearers for the Torquay leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) Torquay celebration, to be held on February 12 2018.

Yesterday (Wednesday), the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation revealed the 18 batonbearers who will carry the Queen’s Baton during its Surf Coast journey.

Ms Jones established Starfish Nippers five years ago at Anglesea SLSC, with the volunteer-run program that teaches young people with a disability beach safety and water awareness adopted by other surf clubs across Australia.

“At previous Queen’s Baton Relays, I have lined the streets and cheered on friends who had been chosen to carry the baton because they had done so much for the community,” she said.

“I’ve gone to talks as well to hear their inspirational stories about their experience and I’ve even lined up to have a photo with them with the baton too. I just can’t believe I’ve now been chosen to do the same thing.”

The other baton bearers in the Torquay leg are Christopher Hair, Lucinda Hateley, Aurelia Kemp, Commonwealth Games bowling champion Cara Honeychurch, Aileen Kettle, Bellbrae swimmer Phoebe Mitchell, Olympic cycling silver medallist Clyde Sefton, Shari Livingston, Marty Maher, Mike Martin, Cameron McFarlane, Desley McKnight, Daniel O’Shea, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tony Strahan, Tanya Simpson, Don Wagstaff and Laurel Ling – her son, Cats great Cameron, will be running in the Geelong leg.

The QBR started in London on Commonwealth Day (March 13) and arrive in Australia on Christmas Day – 100 days before the opening ceremony.

The specific Torquay route and details of the community celebration will be announced on November 17.