Former Yamba resident, Hannah Smith will travel to Roma on March 7 to take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018). Hannah was nominated for both her success as a competitive athlete and her dedication in helping students at TAFE Queensland SkillsTech reach their full potential. Hannah has been working as a Learning Support Tutor at TAFE Queensland SkillsTech’s Eagle Farm training centre whilst completing a dual degree engineering and science. Hannah was nominated by her colleagues to represent the region in the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) and said she is honoured to have been recognised and thrilled to have the opportunity to take part in the longest relay in history. Representing TAFE Queensland in the QBR will add to the list of accolades that Hannah has achieved which include being named the Clarence Valley Council Young Citizen of the Year for 2017, the Clarence Lifeguard of the Year in 2015/16, and participating in the 2015 Centenary Exhibition Surf Boat Race in Gallipoli. Hannah also plays at a first grade level in the Queensland Women’s Australian Football League (QWAFL) for the Yeronga Australian Football Club and has a passion for providing inspiration to young women in sports. “I feel humbled and grateful to have been nominated by my colleagues. Being an athlete requires so much sacrifice across all aspects of your life; with little recognition for the amount of work that gets put in, this is what makes the Commonwealth Games so important. It allows these amazingly talented and hard-working people to showcase what they do, as well as what it takes to get there. “Sport plays such a big part in my life and I am really passionate about being a part of something that recognises and appreciates athletes. “To be involved in one of the largest sporting events in Australia is awesome and an experience I’ll never forget. I feel truly privileged to be able to take part in the QBR and to represent TAFE Queensland and Australia in this major sporting event,” said Hannah. The baton will be carried by approximately 3,800 people, so as it passes hands it will be engaging with both young and old, increasing our sense of connection and understanding of each other. TAFE Queensland SkillsTech General Manager, John Tucker said he was excited to see Hannah represent the region as a batonbearer. “Batonbearers are people that inspire others to be great, and we’re very excited to have Hannah participate in the Queen’s Baton Relay,” John said. “Hannah is a great example of someone who has achieved greatness in her field, and she is a fantastic representative for our region and our state. “Being a batonbearer is a unique experience and I have no doubt Hannah will represent her family, friends and community with great pride, just as she does every day at TAFE Queensland,” he said. John said, as the Official Training Partner for the Games, TAFE Queensland is training 15,000 volunteers to provide them with the skills needed to make a great Games. “We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the training partner and we are working hand-in-hand with GOLDOC to provide the best training possible for the Games workforce to bring the Games to life. “Leading up to GC2018, we are training volunteers in both online and face-to-face environments across a variety of role specific and venue specific training including spectator services, press operations, anti-doping, protocol and transport. “Volunteers will be equipped with the valuable skills and knowledge to not only successfully perform their roles at the Games, but also to contribute to their communities long into the future – inspiring growth and building capability within our community. “The Games are a chance for athletes from around the world to show off their incredible abilities and perform at their best, and we’re excited to be helping the volunteers perform at their best,” John said. The QBR celebrates the Commonwealth’s diversity, inspires community pride and excites people about the world-class festival of sports and culture to come. The Queen’s Baton started its journey in Australia on 25 December, 2017 and will be celebrated in communities across the country for 100 days as it covers 40,000 kilometres before arriving on the Gold Coast in time for the GC2018 opening ceremony on 4 April, 2018. For more information about TAFE Queensland’s partnership with GC2018, and the TAFE Queensland batonbearers and volunteers, visit tafeqld.edu.au/gc2018. More information about the Queen’s Baton Relay:

• The GC2018 QBR is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000 kilometers.
• The QBR started its journey in Australia on 25 December 2017 and will be celebrated in communities across the country for 100 days.
• Approximately 3,800 batonbearers will be given the opportunity to carry the Queen’s Baton throughout Australia covering an estimated 40,000 kilometres (1 million steps around Australia).
• All batonbearers meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • Has achieved something extraordinary or inspired others to achieve something extraordinary.
  • Has made a significant contribution to either sport, education, the arts, culture, charity or within their community.
  • Has excelled, or aspires to excel athletically or personally.
  • Is contributing to a fun, friendly, vibrant and inclusive community.
• As an Official Partner and the Training Partner for the Games, TAFE Queensland will be in charge of training 15,000 volunteers to provide them with the skills needed to make a great Games.
• TAFE Queensland will also be the presenting partner for the preliminary basketball events set to take place in Townsville and Cairns.
• Leveraging our strengths as Queensland’s largest vocational education and training provider, volunteers will be equipped with the valuable skills and knowledge to not only successfully perform their roles at the Games, but also to contribute to their communities long after the Games have finished.