The Queen’s Baton Relay traversed 230,000km by the time it arrived at Main Beach on the Gold Coast on April 4, making it the longest and most accessible Queen’s Baton Relay in history.
Among the batonbearers in this historic event were more than 130 QSuper members from across Queensland, nominated for their life-long community contributions. One of those members was Ayr-resident, Debra Szendrey.
For Debra Szendrey, the Queen’s Baton Relay was a family affair. At the end of her run along Queen St, in Ayr, south of Townsville, she passed the Queen’s Baton it to her husband in front of the community she has volunteered in for 24 years.
“I volunteer because I want to give something back to the community. If you want to live in the community and be a part of it you have to give something back,” Debra, 58, says.
She volunteered with the Surf Life Saving Queensland for 20 years, and with Crime Stoppers for 10 years, and is a current member of the Ayr Chamber of Commerce after serving as president and as an executive member for five years. For the past 15 years Debra has also been a voluntary board member with NQ Employment, helping people with disabilities find employment.
“I got into Life Savers because my son joined when he was young, so I started volunteering and competing. It just went from there. I love volunteering with NQ Employment; I enjoy helping people.
"I was absolutely thrilled and honoured to be selected for the Baton relay. The logistics of this international relay are amazing. To think of where it has travelled – it’s has been across seas and visited so many countries – so to be a part of that is fantastic."
Debra also carried the Olympic Torch in 2000, ahead of the Sydney Olympics. “I was surprised at what an emotional journey that was for me.”
Debra’s husband was a long-serving member of the Queensland Police Service with more than 44 years of service.
“I will be handing the Baton to my husband, so that makes it all the more wonderful.
“It is such a great honour to be running with the Queen’s Baton; my clients will be there and friends and family and the community.
“It’s a huge thing to bring something like this to a country town like Ayr. It’s so positive and a chance to bring the community together to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.”