A respected elder of the Boon Wurrung people and a Peninsula soldier dedicated to supporting young war veterans will run as feature bearers in the Frankston leg of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay.

N'arweet Carolyn Briggs and Christopher May - creator of Young Veterans - are among 18 baton bearers who will make their way to the Frankston Waterfront when the relay passes through the city on Sunday, February 11.

Across the country, 3800 baton bearers are expected to carry the baton during the 100-day countdown to the April 4 opening ceremony. They were nominated by their peers for achievements and contributions to their community.

For Mr May, a veteran of two missions to Afghanistan, it’s a “great honour” and an opportunity to send his message to young veterans that “you can go on to do great things if you choose”. He and his brother, Scott, co-founded Young Veterans and, through their ongoing dedication to the cause, they help save lives.

“The suicide rate is going up,” 28-year-old Mr May explained. “It’s more intrinsic in who we are trying to get our message to. We are trying to tell veterans that you’re not bound by who you are when you leave the Defence Force.”

Frankston’s baton bearers are N'arweet Carolyn Briggs, singer-songwriter Anthony Callea, Olympian Debbie Flintoff-King, Jane Jelekainen, Robert Kabbas, Dan Langelaan, Christopher May, Lisa McLeish, Sarah Miller, Tina Miller, Bailey Miller, Darren Murphy, Paul Olsson, Ray Peak, John Pingiaro, Matthew Rizzo, Trevor Vincent and Jake Ward.

The baton passes through Sorrento on Monday, February 12. More at gc2018.com/qbr