Please note: this is an archived news article release
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 The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate.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.
Posted on Wednesday 28th of June, 2023,
The Commonwealth Games Baton is an important and special part of Games history and suppliers are being sought to design and manufacture the Victoria 2026 Baton, which will be held by thousands and viewed by millions on an epic journey across the Commonwealth of Nations.
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.
More News from Greater Shepparton
Wednesday 6th of May,
Strong community turnout at VicGrid Dookie session
Greater Shepparton City Council acknowledges the strong community turnout and constructive discussion at the VicGrid community information session held in Dookie last night, Tuesday 5 May. Read more
Wednesday 6th of May,
2027 Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten registrations now open
Registrations are now open for three and four-year-old kindergarten spaces for 2027, with Greater Shepparton City Council encouraging parents, guardians and carers to register their child online via Council’s website. Read more
Wednesday 6th of May,
State Budget investment welcomed, but Greater Shepparton’s growth outpaces funding
Greater Shepparton City Council has responded to the 2026/27 Victorian State Budget, welcoming a few important local and regional investments while noting that further work is required to fully meet the needs of a rapidly growing community and its role… Read more
Tuesday 5th of May,
Council sets 2027/28 objective for hard waste collection following careful review
Greater Shepparton City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a reliable, efficient and equitable hard waste collection service for the Greater Shepparton community. Read more
Monday 4th of May,
Council calling for tailored fruit fly management for Goulburn Murray Valley
Greater Shepparton City Council is calling for continued, locally tailored fruit fly management in the Goulburn Murray Valley, following the release of a new independent expert report. Read more
Thursday 30th of April,
Council welcomes PET scanner funding for GV Health, but greater cancer care investment still needed
Greater Shepparton City Council has acknowledged the Victorian Government’s announcement of $7.1 million in the 2026/27 State Budget to operationalise a new PET scanner at Goulburn Valley Health, describing it as a positive but limited step toward meeting… Read more
See All News
Want to get the latest news and events in your Facebook feed?
Just go to our Facebook page and click the Like button.
More Events in Greater Shepparton
Monday 11th of May,
So You Want to Make Games?
Join us for an evening with local game designer Jackson Nexhip, who has built a career spanning development, streaming and teaching. He'll walk us through his path and what the day-to-day of being a game… Read more
Sunday 10th of May,
Riverlinks and Jade Hurley Productions present JADE HURLEY's - Mothers Day Special
Australia’s King of Country Rock and Piano Man View on Riverlinks
Sunday 17th of May,
Mini Golf
Looking for a simple, cheerful outing that everyone can enjoy? Read more
Friday 8th of May,
Bar SAM | May
Date night, friends’ drinks, end-of-week debrief – elevate your Friday nights at Bar SAM. Head up to SAM's Level 4 to discover an ambient bar experience, where you can enjoy drinks and bar snacks from… Read more
Sunday 10th of May,
Mother's Day Classic
Lace up and join us as we come together to walk or run to raise awareness and funds for research into breast and ovarian cancer in the Annual Mother's Day Classic. Pink and teal are the colours of the… Read more
Sunday 17th of May,
Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture 2026
You’re invited to the Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture 2026 - Hidden in Plain Sight: Stained Glass in the Goulburn Valley. Read more
See All Events