Residents Mark Morrison, Drew Walsh and Paul Phillips will be involved in the Queens Baton Relay (QBR) when it comes to Kempsey on Friday 2 February as it journeys towards its final destination - the Gold Coast 2018 Opening Ceremony to take place on 4 April.

Speaking to the Argus, Mr Phillips said it is an honour to be crowned one of the relay’s baton bearers.

Mr Phillips, who started the local Graffiti Blaster service eight years ago to deal with local graffiti vandalism has worked as a volunteer for many community initiatives and raised millions of dollars to build the PCYC Kempsey Youth centre building.

“I came here in 1991, married a girl and haven’t left since,” Mr Phillips said.

“Mate, you look around and its just perfect - you've got the hinter land, you've got the beautiful scenery and the best piece of coastline in Australia. You can’t ask for much better than that.”

The Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton has travelled across the globe and will soon arrive in Kempsey – just one of the five Mid North Coast towns that has been selected to host a leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay.

The baton will arrive in Australia on 24 December and will travel through every state and territory over 100 days, covering 40,000kms.

It contains a message from Her Majesty the Queen which will be read out at the opening ceremony.

Mr Morrison, who will also carry the baton, is the principal of the Macleay Vocational College and is a mentor and support for disadvantaged students.

His contributions saw him receive the Kempsey Shire's Citizen of the Year in 2015 at the Australia Day awards.

Mr Walsh is a young role model and an exceptional community member through playing and coaching junior sports, assisting farmers with Flood Relief and running anti bullying and safe driving to high school students.

Mr Walsh received the Kempsey Shire Youth Citizen of the Year Award at the 2017 Australia Day Awards.

Other baton bearers for the Kempsey leg include former Crescent Head resident and Olympic bronze medallist swimmer Leith Brody as well as David Chapman,  Alani Cockshutt, Glenys Cummings and Louise Currey.

Wendy Hudson will also carry the baton along with Melissa Hunt, Stan Law, Charlie Mather, Alyssa Pensini, Daniel Repacholi, Isaac Sanderson, Caleb Scott, Allan Sparkes and Jade Wynham. Locals from South West Rocks will also take part including Sheryl Pearson, Peter Needs, Trudi Needs and Charlie Brenton, who is just 14 years-old.

The Queen’s Baton is significant of peace and friendly competition between Commonwealth nations.

Mayor Liz Campbell said she is delighted that the Macleay will be part of an event that connects the entire Commonwealth.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay is not only a symbol of the Commonwealth Games, but an event that will connect the Macleay with communities across Australia and the entire Commonwealth,” Ms Campbell said.

For a full gallery of the Queen’s Baton trip around the Commonwealth see: From across the globe to Kempsey.