The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) has roared into its 76th day in Australia, with a morning visit to Winton’s Australian Age of Dinosaurs.

Home to one of the world’s largest collections of Australian dinosaur fossils, Stephanie Greenwood, Winton Shire Citizen of the Year 2017 was the first Batonbearer and showed off one of the town’s claim to fame.

“This morning I’ve been carrying the Queen’s Baton all around the dinosaur canyon and the rocks, this spectacular scenery. I don’t think the Queen’s Baton has seen anything as great as this before,” said Stephanie.

Through the streets of Winton, the community gathered to celebrate the QBR at the local swimming pool, where 12 year old Batonbearer Tiarra Fogarty trains.

“I’ve been going to the state championships since I was 10 years old for backstroke. Being a part of the Relay was really exciting, I never thought that I’d get to do something like that, it was really fun, really enjoyable, there was a lot of cheering.”

The Queen’s Baton ended its time in the tiny town at the Musical Fence. Winton is also home of the Waltzing Matilda legend. It is believed that in 1895 Banjo Paterson penned the song after passing through town.

The GC2018 Queen’s Baton will continue through dinosaur country this afternoon, visiting Hughenden and its replica Muttaburrasaurus.

The Queen’s Baton Relay started on Commonwealth Day Monday 13 March 2017 at Buckingham Palace, when Her Majesty placed Her message inside of the Baton.

The Queen’s Baton has already been passed between thousands of people for 288 days across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

In Australia, the Queen’s Baton will traverse 40,000km, travelling through every state and territory for 100 days. Approximately 3800 batonbearers will carry the Queen’s Baton across Australia. The baton is currently making its way around Cairns.

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