Hockeyroo Edwina Bone is one of nine Orange people nominated by the community to carry the Commonwealth Games baton through Orange next January.
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Eighteen baton bearers will each take a 200 metre leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay through Orange on January 30 – and half of them are from Orange.
Bone will be joined by Pearl Butcher [dragon boating], John Collins [nippers], Anthony Gorringe [bowls], Dr David Howe [health], Tony Rodd [fundraising], Sister Mary Trainor [community work], Russell Tym [athletics] and Dr Anna Windsor [swimming].
Harry Betts of Ophir [basketball], a student in Canobolas Rural Technology High School, will also be a baton bearer.
The relay started in London and will make a 100-day journey through Australia before arriving on the Gold Coast for the games opening ceremony on April 4, 2018.
The route through Orange has not yet been announced but it will visit the Civic Square/museum forecourt and the Anzac Park sports precinct.
Joining the Orange contingent on the relay in Orange will be Louise Best, Jenni Buckley and Carolyn Sheehan of Mudgee, Des Crawford of Bathurst, Toireasa Gallagher of Perthville, Les Hopkins of Blayney, Kathleen Keech of White Rock and LaToya James from Sydney.
Ms Bone, who now lives in Perth, said it was a great honour to be selected.
She won a gold medal at the last Commonwealth Games in Scotland in 2014 and is hoping to be in the team to defend the title on the Gold Coast.
“Yes, it’s definitely awesome to come back to Orange and carry the baton in my home town,” she said.
Dr Anna Windsor won gold medals for Australia at two Commonwealth Games and said it was great to be recognised for her achievements in Orange as well as her swimming achievements.
“It is nice to be involved,” she said.
Sr Trainor said she might start training for her leg.
“I’ll do my little bit,” she said.
“I’m thrilled and surprised at not only being nominated, but being accepted.”
Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal chairman Tony Rodd said it was pleasing nominations covered all walks of life.
“I’m not famous in any way,” he said.
“My sporting achievements are quite modest.”
Orange general practitioner Dr David Howe said he was honoured.
“I’m very humbled and very proud to be selected,” he said.
Dragonboat club leader Pearl Butcher said she was surprised to be selected.
“When I found that I’d been nominated, I thought, ‘why me?’,” she said.
“It is exciting.”
Bowls player Anthony Gorringe, who is deaf and was the former national president of his bowling organisation, thanked grandson Paul for nominating him.
“I am looking forward to this event in January,” he said.
Events’ organiser Russell Tym said he was looking forward to it.
“It is quite an honour to be recognised,” he said.
Orange Bush Nippers co-founder John Collins was proud to be recognised.
“I feel I will be representing the group, it’s a great organisation,” he said.
“There are lots of mums and dads who do great work there.”
Canobolas Rural Technology High student and promising basketballer Harry Betts of Ophir, hoped it might be a step toward competing in a Commonwealth Games. “It’s a big privilege,” he said.
Deputy mayor Cr Joanne McRae congratulated those chosen.
“Their diverse aged groups and backgrounds show the rich fabric of community we live in,” she said.