The funds will be used to assist in running a community event to celebrate the baton’s arrival in Gunnedah on January 31 and will help facilitate traffic control, outdoor staff and variable message (VMS) boards among other activities.

Deputy Mayor Gae Swain said at the meeting that the event was a “great opportunity”.

“This event is a great oppurtunity for our local community,” Cr Swain said.

“It’s so great to see worthy community members like Ron McLean be named as baton bearers.

“For so long he was the Namoi Valley Independent and gave so much to the community as have all the baton bearers.”

Councillor Owen Hasler also supported the event at the November ordinary council meeting.

“I think these events are really significant,” Cr Hasler said.

“They don’t come along too often and should be celebrated when they do.”

The uniquely designed baton will begin it’s Australian journey in December, 100 days before the opening ceremony and will pass through Gunnedah on January 31.  

Further details for the event will be released in December.

The 27 baton bearers that will carry the baton through Gunnedah include:

·         Margaret Amos

·         Richard Barry

·         Noreen Boehm

·         Sarah-Jane Bonner

·         Sara Carrigan

·         Stacey Chisholm

·         Ronald Clissold

·         Alisha Conomos

·         Francis Crump

·         Richard Day

·         Kathryn Day-McGuirk

·         Michelle Dunlop

·         Ray Godkin

·         Marie Hobson

·         Christine Hodges

·         Wade Hudson

·         Kate Jenner

·         Leslie Knox

·         Peter Loveridge

·         Josie Luckel

·         Zara Mannion

·         Ron McLean

·         Gregory Piggott

·         Lauren Robertson

·         Isabella Sawyer

·         Michael Silver

·         Ken Thompson

·         Laiken Watts