C/Games: Queen's Baton arrives Australia

The revolutionary Queen’s Baton was escorted from Auckland by The Hon. Trevor Mallard, New Zealand’s Federal Minister for Sport and Recreation, and 14-year-old New Zealander Sophie Healey.

The baton was then passed to 13-year-old Australian Carly Rodger in a gesture of friendship between nations.

The baton was received by the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, in the presence of the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks, the Premier of New South Wales, Morris Iemma, and the Chairman of Melbourne 2006, Ronald J. Walker.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the 50,000 relay runners who carried the baton across 70 Commonwealth nations and territories to bring it to Australia.

He also thanked the Commonwealth Games Federation for its support in organising the journey of the baton as it carried its message of goodwill to all seven regions of the Commonwealth.

New South Wales Premier Mr Iemma said his state was privileged to host the Queen's Baton Relay on the first stage of its final Australian leg.

“The baton will be an honoured guest at several of the Australia Day ceremonies taking place throughout the City of Sydney in two days time,” he said.

Victorian Premier Mr Bracks said the baton's journey would focus Australians on the biggest sporting and cultural event Victoria had ever hosted.

“The momentum and excitement will build as local heroes across Australia inch the Queen's message ever closer to the redeveloped MCG on opening ceremony night,” Mr Bracks said.

“By 15 March the entire nation will be ready to celebrate the Games."

The Australian route for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay involves a 50 day, 21,500km itinerary, visiting every state, territory and capital city and directly touching over 500 communities.

The Chairman of Telstra Corporation, Mr Donald McGauchie, said as the Presenting Partner, Telstra was delighted to play a part in the Community Runner Program and help celebrate the achievements of local communities throughout Australia.

"The response to the Community Runner Program was magnificent and attracted more than 15,600 nominations, more than four times the nominations received for the Manchester Games in 2002," he said.

"The Community Runner Program has provided Australians with the unique opportunity to take part in this traditional symbol of unity and diversity.

"On behalf of Telstra, I congratulate each of the more than 2150 community representatives chosen to carry the baton. The runners’ selection is a tribute to their achievements and contributions to their community.".

Throughout its journey, the Queen's Baton has united people from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of cooperation and celebration. The baton will no doubt create similar excitement and interest as it tours the country in the lead up to the Games.

It will begin its final journey to the Games on the morning of 25 January, leaving from Penrith Regatta Centre at 7.29am and travelling throughout the western and south western suburbs of Sydney before attending a special local ceremony and celebration at the Parramatta Park Amphitheatre at 5.30pm.

On Australia Day, Thursday 26 January, the baton will attend various community functions in Sydney, playing its part in many of the exciting Australia Day activities being planned.

The Queen’s Baton Relay then continues its journey north along the coast of NSW on Friday, leaving Sydney at 6.20am and convoying to Woy Woy before continuing its journey to Newcastle, where the final runner will arrive at community celebrations at 5.30pm.

About the Queen's Baton

The Melbourne 2006 Queen’s Baton displays Australian design excellence and innovation at its very best, bringing the Baton Relay tradition into the 21st century.