Shoalhaven City Council is offering a rare opportunity for local residents aged 10 to 18-years to take part in the Pass Me the Baton program with Livewire Theatre and Australia’s leading circus company, Circa.

A free circus workshop on January 22, courtesy of council, Livewire Theatre and Circa, will be held to prepare for a public performance as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay celebration in the Shoalhaven.

All children participating will perform in a public performance as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay celebration at Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on Monday, February 5.

The workshop will be with Livewire Theatre and led by its artistic director K-M Doyle.

K-M Doyle is a successful actor, circus performer, director, playwright and arts educator with more than 20 years experience, including working as the artistic director for Cirque du Soleil.

The workshop will go from 1pm to 4pm at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre and applications close on Friday January 12 at 2pm. Successful applicants will be required to attend rehearsals run by Circa each day from January 31 to February 4. Phone 1300 788 503.

Places are limited and only six places remain – so act fast.

The aim of the program is to encourage a creative environment that’s challenging and loads of fun.

Children will learn new skills, refine technique and work towards devising a performance for the relay celebration.

The baton relay arrives in town on Monday, February 5 at 4.30pm

Meanwhile wo long serving volunteers from the Shoalhaven have been selected to carry the baton before games starts in April.

Susan Courtney and Craig Norris were honoured to accept the duty.

“It was a real honour to be nominated, lovely that Jo Burns thought enough of me to nominate me and I was surprised to be successful,” Susan said.

The bushfire consultant has volunteered for the Rural Fire Service for 17 years, helping with major disasters not only in her own community but other communities in times of need.

She has been a part of the Women and Firefighting Australasia, president for the first year and then treasurer for six years.

Susan has also been a long-running member of the Illaroo Soccer Club, where she has filled the position of vice president for four years.

Over the past eight years Craig Norris has raised more than $80,000 for Cancer with his Call to Arms event in the community.

He has been actively involved with the Cancer Council and CanAssist, and is passionate about helping those in his community.  Craig has also made a huge contribution to local soccer and loves providing local kids with a chance to participate in sport.