MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Melbourne Games Queen's Baton arrives in Falklands

The Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association in conjunction with the M2006 team is delighted to announce that the Queen's Baton relay Schedule has been finalised.

The Baton arrives in the Falkland Islands on its trip around the Commonwealth on Thursday 31st August. HE the Governor will host the baton team and invited guests at a dinner at Government House on that evening. Thursday morning will see the Baton making its way to the West Falklands and Port Howard. From Port Howard the Baton will travel along the Fox Bay Road by many various methods. Peter and Shelly Nightingale along with the Knight family in Fox Bay have been in contact regarding this leg of the journey and have plans to move the baton along with tractors, quad bikes motor bikes and many other Falklands modes of transport. The Baton will leave Port Howard at approximately 10.00 am and arrive at Fox Bay at approximately 12.00 pm. FIOGA have plans to host a small reception at the Southern Cross Social Club in Fox Bay from 12.00 pm ? 2.00 pm. FIOGA would like to extend an invitation to all on the West Falklands to come along to either the Fox Bay function or meet us along the track and have a look at the Queen's Baton.

At 2.00 pm the Baton will board the HMS Dumbarton Castle for its onward journey to the East Falklands. The Ship's company of the HMS Dumbarton Castle are delighted to have the Baton aboard, and to the best of our knowledge they will be the only UK military involvement in the entire Baton Relay. CBFSAI has made a helicopter available and this will lift the Baton and its team off the Dumbarton Castle at approximately 3.30 pm with a hopeful stop on Mt Usborne before it lands at Darwin Lodge.

The Goose Green and Lafonia Community will have the opportunity to see the Baton while it is at Darwin as there will be a short Reception at the Goose Green Social Club at 6.00 pm that evening. Again, all are welcome to come along and have a look at the Queen's Baton. Patrick Watts, Chairman of FIOGA plans some after dinner entertainment for the Team with HE the Governor joining the Baton Team for an evening meal at Darwin Lodge.

Friday 2nd September is the Baton relay day.

Over 100 Falkland Islands residents and UK military personnel have expressed a wish to assist in moving the Baton from Mount Pleasant to Stanley. The Chief of Staff, Group Captain Gordon Moulds MBE will start the Relay run from HQBFSAI and hand over to school Children from the Goose Green School. Sea Cadets, Guides, Brownies, Cubs, sporting clubs, school children and former Commonwealth Games athletes will all participate in the run with Tony Petterson and Gerald Cheek, the first ever Falkland Islands Commonwealth Games athletes in 1982, finishing the relay and handing the Baton over to the Governor.

The plan is for the Baton to be able to be viewed by Stanley residents following its arrival at Government House. Should poor weather prevail the plan is to move into the Town Hall for a team photo and Baton viewing.

HE the Governor will host a reception for the Baton and its team at Government House that evening for invited guests.

Saturday 3rd of September sees the Baton heading off to Canada for the remainder of its journey, and a much needed rest day for its team.

FIOGA are very excited about this project and hope that as many Falkland Islands residents as possible take the opportunity to come along and see the Baton at its many various locations.

About the Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton

The first Queen's Baton was created for a relay to celebrate the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales. Since then the Queen's Baton Relay has become a much loved Games tradition.

The baton's journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and enables communities beyond the host city to share the Games celebrations. It also serves a functional purpose in carrying Her Majesty's message to the athletes from Buckingham Palace to the opening ceremony.

The Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton Relay is the world's longest, most inclusive relay ? travelling to all 71 nations of the Commonwealth in a year and a day. The design and technological features of the baton that will travel this epic journey reflect the relay's efforts to showcase the diversity of the Commonwealth and unite its communities in the celebration of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The elegant, curved form of the baton takes its inspiration from the physical form of athletes arching forward as they strive for success.

The 71 lights on the front of the baton indicate the 71 nations of the Commonwealth that the Queen's Baton will visit on its journey to the Games. These will progressively light up as the baton arrives in each Commonwealth country, symbolising the gathering of the nations at the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.

Reflecting Australia's unique heritage

The materials used in the manufacture of the Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton ? gold and magnesium - hold special significance to the people of the State of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital.

The gold tip reflects Melbourne's elegance and grandeur and the important role the metal has played in the city's history and prosperity. Melbourne thrived during Victoria's 1850s gold rush, which drew many people from diverse nations to the great city to seek their success; not unlike the athletes that will flock to Melbourne for the games in 2006.

Magnesium, often referred to as the ?metal of the future', is used in the front panel of the baton. Australia is one of the world's largest producers of magnesium and the metal has special significance to Australia's prosperity and economic future. The green colour used on the back of the baton reflects Melbourne's park surrounds, and Victoria's place as ?The Garden State.'