Kiama turned out in force to watch the progress of the Queen’s Baton through the town centre, and it wasn’t just locals that were impressed with the effort. On the official Commonwealth Games website it is reported that in Kiama the Baton had “met with the best crowds of its time in Australia, with thousands packing the main street.”

Months of organisational preparation saw thousands of school children and community organisations participate, and the creation of a carnival atmosphere. Champion surfer Sally Fitzgibbons (pictured) had the honour of taking the Baton into the Showground, saying, “This is my grass roots, my heart is definitely down here on the South Coast but my second home is definitely on the Gold Coast for my surfing. The Queen’s Baton Relay is just a fantastic opportunity to show off Australia to the world.”