Fun and games for shire

COMMONWEALTH Games excitement will begin on Sunday, 20 November, with Cardinia Shire joining a statewide day of official events to warm up to the games.
Dubbed Cardinia Converge, the events across the shire will include a minibaton relay through each town before a meeting at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham for a day of games fun.
The town relays will converge along four routes.
Route one is Upper BeaconsfieldBeaconsfieldOfficerPakenham. Route two is EmeraldCockatooGembrookPakenham.
Route three is BunyipGarfieldTynongNar Nar GoonPakenham.
Route four is Lang LangKooweerupPakenham.
Each town will hold a short relay along a main route through their township then hop on a free bus to pick up runners from other towns en route to Pakenham.
Cardinia’s Commonwealth Games Getting Involved Committee representative Meredith Bowers said people of all ages and abilities were invited to take part.
She said people could either participate as baton carriers or by turning up and joining the free activities.
“When they arrive at Cardinia Cultural Centre there’ll be a huge day of free events supported by local sports and recreation organisations.
“It’s a great way to unite our towns across our large shire,” she said.
From there participants and wellwishers can enjoy the activities before making their own way home to their townships.
Activities at the Cardinia Cultural Centre will include: a mini pistol range, children’s field games (shot put and javelin) and mini sprints, lawn and carpet bowls, table tennis, basketball, netball, martial arts, group exercise sessions, a rope course, a township walkaroundthelake competition, a talk by a Commonwealth Games athlete and a talk on healthy eating and nutrition.