As the Commonwealth Games fast approaches, the line up for Griffith’s baton bearers has been released.
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Jenny Beer is one of the staunch Griffith community members chosen for the special privilege of carrying the baton for the Queen’s Baton Relay on January 28.
Not only passionate about supporting Griffith’s small businesses, as a past Olympian she’s a humble gem in the crown of Griffith’s community.
“I think there are much more worth recipients to be a baton bearer for this but I am happy to take one for the team, and I was an Olympian so I’m guessing I got through on that,” she said.
“It’s super exciting!”
Although nominated by her daughter, members of the Council saw her as a worthy recipient and encouraged her nomination.
“Being involved again reminds you of the atmosphere of competing, and there is no better feeling than being a part of that,” Ms Beer said.
“I swam in the 1976 in the Olympics in Montreal, Canada. It was amazing, but I was very young, we were a very young swimming team.
“Coming from Darlington Point with a population of 400 people, we had a very protected upbringing, so to be thrown into the world scene was overwhelming, but as an athlete it is the ultimate so I did the absolute best I could.”
“The experience was so many different cultures coming together in one arena was amazing.”
Nominated by their peers for achievements and contributions to their community, a batonbearer has the honour of carrying the Queen’s Baton and representing their family, friends and community with pride.
Ms Beer has proven herself passionate about Griffith’s small businesses, helping them combat and become a part of the move towards online shopping.
“I’m involved in the community in my own little way. I developed an e-commerce business to support small businesses in Griffith, so there was a lot of hype of people buying things online outside of the community, and I thought why don’t we create something that people are able to buy from all of our stores online.”
Ms Beer is going to attend the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast with her two daughters and two grandsons to watch the swimming, gymnastics, cycling, hockey, track and field and others, so they will be there in the sidelines cheering them on.
“I’ve been a great spectator on TV, but never actually attended before.”
The following have been selected as Baton Bearers for the Griffith segment of the Queen's Baton Relay as selected by the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organisers:
- Jenny Beer
- John Binks
- Domenic Calabria
- Laura Crockart
- Veronica Cudmore
- Kellie Dissegna
- Elizabeth Graham
- Carmel La Roca
- Jodie Landy
- Claire Murray
- Anne Nappoli
- Patrick Napoli
- Alex Niven
- Dale Paul
- Gavin Raccanello
- Francesco Scarfone
- Grant Semmler
- Leon Thorpe
- Heather White
Join them along Banna Avenue and Kookora St from 4pm and celebrate with them at the Community Gardens from 4.30pm.