Three Moree residents have been selected to be a part of history when the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s baton winds its way through Australia ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony.
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Frank Crump, Ronnie Clissold and Michelle Dunlop have been honoured to be among the thousands of Australians selected to carry the Queen’s baton on the final stages of its journey to the Gold Coast.
The relay began on Commonwealth Day, Monday, March 13, 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed her message inside the baton.
It has since been carried 230,000 kilometres by thousands of people across all Commonwealth nations and territories including Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The baton is set to arrive in Brisbane on Christmas Eve and approximately 3,800 batonbearers will carry it through every state and territory in Australia before it arrives on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on April 4, 2018.
The Prince of Wales will then remove Her Majesty’s message from the baton and read it aloud to declare the Games open.
Frank, Ronnie and Michelle will each have the honour of carrying the baton 200 metres when it makes its way through Gunnedah on day 37 of its Australian tour, on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
They are three of 28 people from this region carrying the baton during the Gunnedah celebrations.
To be selected to participate in the Queen’s Baton Relay, each batonbearer was nominated before undergoing a selection process by a panel of judges in each capital city in Australia.
To be successful, all baton bearers had to have achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary; have made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community; have excelled, or aspired to excel athletically or personally; or contribute to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community.
Ronnie Clissold was nominated by his daughter Lee for his dedication in coaching young athletes for roughly 40 years.
“He’s always had a love of fitness and athletics – he took up running at the age of 28 and he’s now 72 and still runs,” Ms Clissold said.
“He volunteers as a mentor/coach for young children. He doesn’t get paid, he just does it to hekp children do the best they can with their sport.”
Ronnie said it’s an honour to have been selected to carry the baton, and is also looking forward to attending a few athletics events at the Gold Coast Games.
“It’s very exciting,” he said.
Twelve-year-old Moree Public School student Michelle Dunlop will be one of the youngest to hold the baton (the youngest is 10).
Michelle’s mum Claire Dunlop nominated her for the wonderful opportunity.
“I thought, ‘what a great experience for her life to have that’,” Mrs Dunlop said.
“But she’s also very active in her community. She’s always excited about events in the community; she’s done ballet since she was three and is involved in the concerts, she’s involved in the Anglican Church and youth group.
“At school she’s active in anything she can be and joins every group there is – she does debating, Studio Time.”
Mrs Dunlop said Michelle was very excited when she found out about the honour of carrying the baton.
Meanwhile, Frank Crump has been given an extra special honour, being chosen as one of two featured baton bearers for the Gunnedah celebrations.
Frank has been heavily involved in many charities and events throughout Moree and the region, including the annual Hike for the Homeless. He’s participated in 14 Relay for Life events, has raised more than $10,000 for the Movember Foundation, is a founding member and life member of Moree Junior Rugby League Club.
He was nominated to be a baton bearer by his son Glen Crump and said he was absolutely thrilled by the honour.
“I’m very happy,” Frank said.
“It’s a big moment for me; it’s going to be a big thrill to walk with that baton in my hand for 200m and represent my hometown Moree.
“My mum passed away three weeks ago and I know that she’s proud of me. When I walk with that baton in my hand it’s going to be for her and all the community that I’m involved with.
“It’s something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”