Baton honour run

By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Glen resident Anne Jenkins is one of hundreds of community representatives who will carry the Queen’s Baton in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games next year.
Ms Jenkins is recognised as a leading worker for indigenous communities in the Yarra Valley.
Over the past 15 years Ms Jenkins has worked with Skillshare, Worawa Aboriginal College and Swinburne University.
She is currently indigenous education officer at Swinburne TAFE’s Oonah Campus and is indigenous development officer with the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Ms Jenkins said she is looking forward to carrying the baton on 20 February and that she will be carrying it for the indigenous and wider communities of the Yarra Valley.
“When the Olympic Torch Relay went through Healesville in 2000 I was working with a lot of organisations involved in the activities taking part around that,” she said.
“I thought it would be good to be part of it this time, rather than just organising it.”
Healesville elder Dot Peters said she felt many people would be very happy to see Ms Jenkins carrying the baton.
“Anne’s contribution to the community has been exceptional.
“I have seen her develop from a young girl when she first came here from New South Wales into a very knowledgeable young woman and a leader.
“She is a fine person to be representing everybody in the community.”
Ms Jenkins will run on Day 27 of the relay, a 254 kilometre stretch which starts in Shepparton and finishes in Healesville via a number of towns including Yarra Glen.
On Day 28 the baton will leave Healesville for a 227 kilometre journey to Benalla passing through Marysville, Buxton, Taggerty, Alexandra and Bonnie Doon.
Sixteen Yarra Ranges and two Marysville residents will run over the two days.
They are Elaine Postlethwaite and Rod Greenaway from Marysville, Valda Woodman from Launching Place, Robert Hendy from Warburton, Merril Brunt from Woori Yallock, Michael Morley, Kate Jeffery and Elizabeth Maile from Healesville, Lisa Morskate from Seville, Ian Gawler from Gladysdale, Liam Paterson from Mt Evelyn, Alfred Floyd and Anita Burch from Tecoma, Alan Ashmore from Selby and Garry Mennie and Gary Robertson from Kallista.
The Mail congratulates all local Queen’s Baton representatives and will profile each of the runners over the next three months. If other Yarra Ranges residents have been chosen to run in other areas, we would like to hear from them too. Phone the Mail on 5962 5800 or email kath@yvnews.com.au.