Young Australian of the Year, Danzal Baker OAM, known as Baker Boy, will use his unique style of rap music to help a worldwide audience of up to one billion people turn their attention to regional Victoria — the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Baker Boy was joined on stage by Vanessa Amorosi, one of Australia’s most dynamic singers, and Geelong’s own singer-songwriter Taylor Henderson.
Baker Boy’s performance followed the Flag Handover Ceremony when the Commonwealth Games flag was handed to Her Excellency, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria.
Victoria’s role in the Closing Ceremony was an electrifying fusion of First Peoples’ traditions and contemporary performances celebrating what makes regional Victoria great.
Elders from each of the Traditional Owners — Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung (Melbourne), Wadawurrung (Geelong and Ballarat), Dja Dja Wurrung (Bendigo) and Gunaikurnai (Gippsland) invited the Commonwealth Games to their lands for 2026.
The Elders presented a carved message stick to Commonwealth Games Federation President, Dame Louise Martin DBE. The message stick represents an invitation to walk on Country in 2026 when Victoria will stage the Commonwealth Games in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland.
Four young Victorians from regional TAFEs were given the once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved in the creation of Victoria’s role in the Closing Ceremony.
The students were selected from each of the four host regions and learnt important skills, such as stage management, administration and event production during the rehearsals in Melbourne.
The video will show a combination of arts, sports culture and breathtaking natural beauty, introducing the world to Victoria’s 2026 host cities, its people, diverse culture and hospitality.
The Commonwealth Games will be held in Victoria from March 17 to 29 and it will create more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before the Games, 3900 jobs during the games and a further 3000 jobs beyond the closing ceremony.
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