Team RACVEB was well represented at the 2018 Commonwealth Games Queens Baton Relay with Laurie Preston (Display and Presentation) and Martin Mark (Local Planning and Logistics) passing the baton to one another over in Bendigo. Congrats guys!

Both Laurie and Martin have been dedicated servants of sport and recreation throughout central Victoria and beyond, across athletics, triathlon, cricket, swimming, football, volleyball (and well, just about every sport going around be honest!).

Beyond the sporting fields, they have contributed to their local communities with quiet and diligent efforts and we here at RACV Energy Breakthrough think it’s marvellous they are recognised for their efforts in this way.

Laurie Preston

Running relay leg number 18 for the day, was Athletics Victoria and Athletics Bendigo life member, Laurie Preston, on McCrae Street.

Laurie would be known to many of the ‘Breakthrough community as our Display & Presentation Coordinator – but he was also an RACV EB Team Manager (and parent of a participant, um, me) at Eaglehawk Secondary College in 1998 – 1999.

Martin Mark:

As luck would have it, Laurie jogged through his leg to hand over to Martin Mark, our long-serving Local Planning and Logistics Coordinator for the RACV EB and the Recreation Manager at the Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC). Many from our Team Managers within our ‘Breakthrough community would have spoken to Marty in the past to discuss an entry on a waiting list or to navigate one of the many logistical challenges our event throws up each and every year.

Marty was cheered on by colleagues from the Shire, his wife and his children. His beaming grin was broad as he strode out past Lake Weeroona – at one point the marshals even had to tell him to slow down. He was after all, running the anchor leg of the day. “It was so amazing. I couldn’t believe I was nominated in the first place, but to a part of this great event for Australia certainly really proud to be a part of this,” Marty told the Bendigo Advertiser.

Phew, what a day! Congratulations to both Laurie and Marty for the recognition of their outstanding contribution to sport and recreation.