And among them are 21 baton bearers (full list below) from Parkes – including two carrying the torch through West Wyalong and Orange.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will be travelling through Parkes and Forbes on January 29 next year.

At a launch on Wednesday on the Gold Coast, the Premier said the list of names, selected through a community nomination program, is a great reflection of Australia.

“The lists of names have been compiled by judging panels in each state and territory, allowing local knowledge to play the greatest possible role in the selection process,” she said.

“The baton bearers recognise the achievements and aspirations of Australians from all walks of life, from ambitious 10-year-olds to humble volunteers and well-known Australians from a variety of fields.

“Collectively, our baton bearers will take more than a million steps through every state and territory, sharing the excitement of GC2018 with regional and remote communities.”

Among the baton bearers from Parkes will be Rio Olympian Scott Westcott, Parkes’ mayor Ken Keith, 12-year-old athlete Victoria Simpson and 71-year-old veteran swimming coach Barbara Weaver.

Victoria is a Year 6 student at Holy Family Primary School who is a paraplegic and is an inspiration to all staff and students at her school.

She has achieved Polding level representation in both athletics and swimming and last year competed at national level for shot put after coming third in the state at the NSW Primary School Sport Association Athletics Carnival.

Victoria participates in whatever sport is happening, demonstrating the courage of a sportsperson with her “never-give-up” attitude to obstacles.

She was nominated as a great ambassador for both able and non-able body athletes and non-athletes.

Barbara is the coach of Parkes Swimming Club, a position she has held for 20 years.

Every day she coaches children in a voluntary capacity.

She is also a qualified learn-to-swim teacher and has taught so many children in Parkes that they are now bringing their own children to learn how to swim.

Barbara is a qualified referee and is always available to help out at school carnivals, and she is always helpful to new swimming teachers and coaches.

Barbara has been described as the face of swimming in Parkes.

Thirteen baton bearers have been selected to carry the torch through Forbes.

The Premier also revealed on Wednesday the uniform that baton bearers will wear as they carry the baton.

“It will be a treasured keep-sake of their special role in GC2018,” she said.

Minister for the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones said the batonbearers were in for the experience of a lifetime - one that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

There is a 90-year age range across the baton bearers.

“In Queensland, there will be more than 1800 baton bearers, as the relay travels to 83 communities over 33 days,” the Premier said.

The baton lands in Brisbane to start the final leg of its journey on Christmas Eve this year.

For one month during the school summer holidays, the Queen’s Baton will visit major events, iconic landmarks and children’s hospitals across the country.

The traditional relay will resume in Canberra on January 25 and will be carried by great Australians through communities around the country.

Since its launch from Buckingham Palace on March 13, the baton has travelled across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe.

Currently it is in Malaysia and is set to visit the remaining 15 Commonwealth nations in Asia and Oceania before arriving in Australia.