Two locals will be a part of history, after they were selected to be batonbearers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Bunbury’s Cathie Broome and Yvette Williamson are two of about 3,800 Australians chosen to carry the Queen’s Baton on its 100-day journey across the nation in the lead-up to the Gold Coast Games.
Joining the WA locals on the list are notable names including singers John Williamson, Troy Cassar-Daley and Dami Im, celebrity chef Maggie Beer, Fremantle Docker Nat Fyfe, cricketer Glenn McGrath and Victoria cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.
Read more: Commonwealth Games 2018 baton relay begins
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the list of names, selected through a community nomination program, was a great reflection of Australia.
“The lists of names have been compiled by judging panels in each state and territory, allowing local knowledge to play the greatest possible role in the selection process,” the Premier said.
“The batonbearers recognise the achievements and aspirations of Australians from all walks of life, from ambitious 10-year-olds to humble volunteers and well-known Australians from a variety of fields.
“Collectively, our batonbearers will take more than a million steps through every state and territory, sharing the excitement of GC2018 with regional and remote communities.”
For one month during the school summer holidays, the Queen’s Baton will visit major events, iconic landmarks and children’s hospitals across the country.
The traditional relay will resume in Canberra on January 25 and will be carried by great Australians through QBR celebration communities around the country.
The Baton’s activity during the school holidays and the street-level detail through celebration communities will be revealed on November 17.
Our local batonbearers
Cathie Broome
Reverend Cathie is an inspiration to the local community and is always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need.
She has arranged emergency relief, community BBQ’s, regularly visits the elderly and disabled at home and in retirement villages.
She has sponsored numerous children in need and through Red Cross has given soup out to people living on the streets for over 16 years.
She gives up her time freely to the local community and is well known for doing weddings and funerals for free to help those less fortunate.
Yvette Williamson
Vett had breast cancer at 38, had a double mastectomy and then had an allergic reaction to chemotherapy.
She went into lung failure and was put on life support, she now has only 80 percent lung function.
She was told she would never exercise like she used to.
However, she has since completed four 3.9km jetty swims, a 12 kilometre HBF fun run, and a 21 kilometre run as part of a half triathlon.
Vett is a true inspiration to her two sons as well as all her family and friends.
