The search is on for "worthy" baton holders

You are invited to be part of the Commonwealth Games baton relay — but only if you’re worthy. Stanhope’s release about this is below.

So what is worthy? Well according to the official baton website, you have to have either:

– performed major feats of individual accomplishment against the odds;
– made outstanding acts of generosity or kindness;
– made a contribution to the benefit of his or her community;
– been a role model or mentor, or made a special contribution to the lives of others;
– undertaken voluntary work or contributed to schools or youth groups; or
– embodied pride and community values.

You also have to be a permanent resident and be aged over 12 years (although I don’t think many people younger than 12 years old would be able to meet the criteria).

So if this sounds like you, you are deemed worthy so what are you waiting for? There’s only eight weeks left to nominate in!

WANTED: WORTHY CANBERRANS FOR BATON RELAY

Who should represent the ACT in the Queen’s Baton Relay in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next year?

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope is throwing open the challenge to every Canberran to come up with the names of individuals who truly stand for this city – ordinary Canberrans with extraordinary lives and extraordinary stories.

“Fewer than eight weeks remain until nominations close for community runners who will participate in the relay,” Mr Stanhope said today. “The judging panel is looking for individuals who embody many of the community values that make the national capital so great – role models, mentors, those whose outstanding acts of generosity and kindness we so admire, but that so often go formally unrecognised.

“I urge everyone to think of those special Canberrans who deserve a moment in the spotlight.”

Nomination forms, including the judging criteria and background information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, can be found at http://www.queensbatonrelay.telstra.com/index.aspx. The nomination period ends on 9 September.

The Commonwealth Games runs from March 15 to 26 next year. The Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Canberra on February 25 before flying to Broken Hill. It returns to the national capital on February 27.