12/12/2005 - A dramatic
show of snow flurries and helicopter blades heralded the
historic touch down of the Queen’s Commonwealth Games Baton
at Australia’s Casey station in Antarctica today.
The baton’s arrival marks the end of a 10-day, 3430 km journey
across some of the roughest seas in the world, and the start
of the Antarctic leg of it’s 180 000 km journey across 53
countries and 18 territories of the Commonwealth – the longest,
most inclusive relay in the Games’s 76-year history.
The Antarctic leg of the baton’s journey is being coordinated
by the Australian Antarctic Division, an agency of the Department
of the Environment and Heritage, which fulfils the Australian
Government’s interests in Antarctica through its science
programme and the Antarctic Treaty system.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
said the baton’s expedition to Antarctica was a fantastic
opportunity to showcase the work of the Australian Antarctic
programme to the world, and to reaffirm Australia as a major
participant in the Commonwealth.
“The Australian Government has provided $15 million to fully
fund the international and Australian legs of the baton
rely,” Senator Campbell said.
“This financial support and the services and support our
agencies are providing, demonstrates our strong commitment
to ensure the maximum number of Australians have the opportunity
to see and participate in the relay.”
The innovative 2006 Australian baton was unveiled by Prime
Minister John Howard during a ceremony at Parliament House
on 10 February 2005. Accompanied by Federal Treasurer Peter
Costello, the Prime Minister also announced the extensive
international route of the 2006 Queen’s Baton Relay.
Casey station leader Jeremy Smith and fellow expeditioners
who have spent the past year in Antarctica, welcomed the
baton and baton bearer Shannon Stacey, after the short helicopter
flight from the Aurora Australis across the sea ice.
While a range of ever-changing factors will determine where
the baton can and can’t go while in Antarctica – including
the weather, the progress of station personnel changeover,
scientific needs, and the ‘A factor’ (Antarctic variables)
– Dr Smith said several days of sight-seeing was on the
cards.
“We have several baton activities in mind including a welcoming
ceremony, diving, some photogenic visits to ice cliffs and
penguin colonies, a helicopter flight, and an overnight
visit to a field hut travelling by over-snow tracked vehicle,”
he said. |
