The baton has been handed from runner to runner around the globe on a 230,000km relay that began in London in March.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II placed her message to the Commonwealth and its athletes into the baton at the commencement ceremony, at Buckingham Palace, and entrusted it to the first baton bearer.

The Queen’s baton will pass through Forbes on January 29 on the Australian leg of its journey to the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

The Advocate spoke to Denise Jelbart about being nominated to carry the Queen’s baton in the relay.

Mrs Jelbart said she was surprised that she was nominated.

“I am excited to be nominated and chosen and that I get to walk in Forbes,” she said.

Mrs Jelbart was nominated for her work with the Forbes Breast Cancer Support Group. She has been involved with the group for the last 22 years.

“I am involved in it because I like women to know that there is hope of survival,” Mrs Jelbart said.

Along with Yvonne Shaw, she helped to initiate the Mothers Day Walk in Forbes to raise money for breast cancer research.

Mrs Jelbart will be carrying the baton on day 35 of the relay in Australia.

The Advocate will be featuring other baton bearers in the lead up to the relay.