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Bass Coast Set To Host Queen’S Baton Relay

Bass Coast Shire Council is delighted to announce that after many months of comprehensive planning the region is fully prepared to host the Melbourne 2006 Queen’s Baton Relay when it arrives in Bass Coast next week on 1 March.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 23rd February 2006 - Back to News

Shire Mayor, Cr Neville Goodwin, said the entire district is very excited to be included in the huge international event and the Council is pleased with the way the community has responded to the challenges involved in hosting such a high profile celebration.

He is also delighted with the progress that has been made to ensure the community is ready when the baton arrives, bringing with it the opportunity to highlight and promote the region through the accompanying media.

The baton will visit Wonthaggi, San Remo, Newhaven and Cowes. Cowes is one of 47 communities across the country selected to host an official evening welcome ceremony.

Cr Goodwin said many celebrations have been planned for the baton’s visit on March 1 including:

  • a jumping castle, face painting and Aussie songs at Apex Park in Wonthaggi from 2-3pm;
  • a sausage sizzle at the San Remo Jetty from 3.45-4.30pm; and
  • huge celebrations on the Cowes Foreshore from 3.30pm including a fly pass by the Roulettes, live entertainment with the Navy band, Wonthaggi Citizens Band, Road to Tamworth winners and African band Musiki Manjaro, an Aussie tribute by over 600 school students and a fireworks display.

When the baton leaves the Shire on March 2, Newhaven Primary School have also organised a sausage sizzle at the Newhaven Recreation Reserve from 7.45am.

Members of the public are advised that traffic delays will be kept to a minimum and spectators are also reminded to observe local traffic management advice. Advice regarding road delays and closures will be provided closer to the date.

The Melbourne 2006 Queen’s Baton is visiting more than 500 Australian communities and being carried by 3500 relay runners in the final 50 days of its epic journey from Buckingham Palace to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The Queen’s Baton arrived at its 71st and final destination, Australia, on 24 January 2006 and is now travelling 21,500 kilometres across Australia – 9,700 by road, 9,300 by air, 1,000 by sea and 1,500 by rail.

The baton began the national leg with a two day relay around Sydney, coinciding with the city’s spectacular Australia Day celebrations. It’s now visiting every state and territory and every capital city as it concludes its historic one year and one day journey across the Commonwealth.

Along with relays through towns and cities, community festivities are also including daily ‘lunch stop’ visits to local schools and sporting facilities as well as evening ceremonies to officially welcome the baton’s arrival.

With thousands of people watching from the roadside and millions more watching across the world, the baton is being carried across Australia by 3,500 relay runners and on 45 different modes of transport, including by boat across Sydney Harbour, Bass Strait and the Whitsunday Islands and on The Ghan railway from Alice Springs to Darwin.

The Australian leg of the Queens’ Baton Relay is funded by the Australian Government and is a joint initiative of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation, and the relay’s presenting partner, Telstra; tourism partner, Tourism Australia; and sponsors, Qantas, National Australia Bank and Cadbury Schweppes.

For comprehensive information about the relay, the baton and to follow the baton’s epic journey across the globe visit www.melbourne2006.com.au. For local information visit www.basscoastshire.vic.gov.au.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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