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This article was published on Wednesday, 28 June, 2023. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Designers and manufacturer sought for Games baton

The Victoria 2026 Baton – the centrepiece of the first King’s Baton Relay – will be grounded in local Victorian materials and be shaped by the knowledge, cultures and histories of Victoria’s First Peoples.

The 16th Queen’s Baton Relay hit the road in the lead up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and accomplished a 294-day long journey around the world, including a four-day leg in Australia.

The final day of that tour began in Ballarat, where the Baton was welcomed by 1994 marathon champion Steve Moneghetti at the track named in his honour.

In line with Relay tradition, the Baton carried a stirring message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – read out at the Opening Ceremony – which invited athletes to participate, wished “every team the greatest success”, and declared the Games officially open.

Starting its journey in London, the Victoria 2026 Baton will also carry a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III.

The message will be read aloud during the Victoria 2026 Opening Ceremony blockbuster at the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 2026, launching 12 days of competition sport across the regional Victorian cities of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Gippsland.

“We’ve always had a multi-city Relay and now we have a multi-city Games to go with it,” Jeroen Weimar, VICTORIA 2026 CEO said.

According to the Expressions of Interest document, the Organising Committee “will engage the most innovative and creative approaches to the design and fabrication of the Baton”.

Businesses who want a chance to produce the Victoria 2026 Baton are encouraged to view the Expressions of Interest document at Buying for Victoria’s suppliers’ portal.

A full procurement process to follow will measure firms on their ability to deliver the Relay centrepiece, and also their commitment to Victoria’s Local Jobs First Policy and the state’s Social Procurement Framework.

Earlier this year, Games Organisers and the Victorian Government revealed their three-year procurement pipeline for goods and services to host the major event – representing more than 1,200 individual procurement activities and covering everything from golf balls to gold medals.

“Like all our procurement opportunities coming down the pipeline, we’re keen to see as many local businesses as possible put their best foot forward,” Weimar said.

Local businesses are encouraged to register on the State Government Tender portal now so they are prepared to submit a tender for any opportunities.