Passing of the Baton - Parchment

At the heart of the WA Government's Count Me In: Disability Future Directions lies the vision to create a society where "All people live in welcoming communities that facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone."

The passing of the Baton - Parchment from community to community along the Great Bike Ride route reinforces that vision by inspiring others to demonstrate:

• leadership, participation and contribution
• celebration and record of achievements
• pride and sense of accomplishment

The Baton - Parchment will be handed to one of the riders and support crew by Deputy Lord Mayor Janet Davidson OAM, as she farewells the riders at the official starting point of The Great Bike Hike - Council House (29 St George's Terrace) Perth on Sunday 19^th August 2012 at 9.30am. The riders will then proceed to the Steel Blue Oval in Bassendean for the official launch.

The actual ride will begin from the Fairholme Homestead, Market Street, Guildford, on Monday 20^th August.

As the riders and support crew pass through each of the regional centres and towns on their way to Broome, the Baton - Parchment will be handed to a representative of the welcoming community, to be inscribed with the details of their projects, initiatives and achievements associated with people with disability and mental illness, their families and carers. 

At the finish of the ride in Broome, the Baton - Parchment, now containing a complete record of all the projects, initiatives and achievements, will be handed to a parliamentary representative, marking the end of this epic adventure.  To complete the circle, the Baton - Parchment will be brought back to Perth and presented to the Premier in Cabinet, as a unique record of a truly amazing ride - one which formed a conduit to further promote the message of Count Me In: Disability Future Directions.

To acknowledge the participating communities' contribution, each town will receive a copy of their recorded details of projects, initiatives and achievements for permanent display.