General News
4 September, 2022
Bring the baton here
CULTURALLY significant areas in the Loddon could be part of the Queen’s Baton relay tour for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Mayor Dan Straub wants the baton to pass through local communities before the Games in Bendigo and other regional hubs. Riding...
CULTURALLY significant areas in the Loddon could be part of the Queen’s Baton relay tour for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Mayor Dan Straub wants the baton to pass through local communities before the Games in Bendigo and other regional hubs.
Riding in a boat across Little Lake Boort to the indigenous scarred trees, a cultural performance at Kooyoora State Park, scaling the top of Pyramid Hill and connecting with eucalypts at the Wedderburn stirring pot and Inglewood museum are on Cr Straub’s Loddon baton day list.
“There is a great opportunity here for our local communities. Perhaps there could be different areas where the baton is carried and promoted, at the same time displaying the diversity and hidden gems, within the Loddon Shire, whether they be natural or man-made,” Cr Straub said.,
“The promotion of the baton within the shire would also create a sense of curiosity and a way to tell visitors about our rich history and what the region has to offer with regards to the extent of neverending diversity amongst locals around different parts of the shire.”
Cr Straub said that bringing the baton to Loddon communities would help engage people with the Games in March 2026 and ”create memories and even set an everlasting legacy in the hearts of our people, young and old”.
“The involvement of communities would also give locals a sense of pride and a wonderful story to tell in years to come,” he said.
“Our locals are the backbone to bringing together the colourful uniqueness of our shire with all their diversity and various ideas, which I believe would be of great interest to many visitors travelling around our region as part of the trip to watch the Games, and in doing so, create future interest in the area with guests coming back to further explore the shire and spreading the word to friends and family about the countless experiences and places to see around the Loddon Shire.”
Since Victoria was announced as the host state for the 2026 Games, councils and communities have been asked for ideas on cultural celebrations to run in parallel with the sporting event.
“If the baton was to come through Loddon, it would be a wonderful opportunity for the locals in that area to come together and arrange a celebration of some kind for when the baton passes through,” Cr Straub said.
“This could involve local communities getting together and using their imagination in a creative way that will essentially form a warm welcome for the passing through of the baton and a way of showcasing their talents and being inclusive of visitors coming to join in on the celebrations.
“Hopefully this would allow an array of talents to come together, there could even be a market on the day selling local goods, stalls promoting local tourism and community groups could be encouraged to provide an assortment of entertainment.”
Cr Straub said the Queen’s Baton Relay was a fantastic opportunity for Loddon Shire to promote its strengths and to acknowledge the valuable contribution of many leaders within the community.
“We look forward to outlining to the Games Organisers the many opportunities Loddon Shire provides as part of this great event,” Cr Straub said.
Where would you like the Queen’s Baton to visit? Let us know at loddonherald@gmail.com