Relay Baton

Hundreds gathered, waiting for MP Justin Tkatchenko to arrive and start the relay.

He turned up with his daughters, vowing to make the walk all the way to police headquarters at Konedobu.

The Tkatchenko family and supporters were walking down the Scratchley Rd hill to Sabama by 9am and being welcomed by throngs of students and residents all the way.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill ritually received the baton and made his way through the corridors of Parliament to meet Oil Search executive Gerea Aopi on the steps of the building, under the historic words from the Constitution annals.

There, he handed the baton to the tall former rules footballer and field athlete, Mr Aopi, who jogged down the winding road to the gates of the Parliament area.

He handed over the baton to NCD Governor Powes Parkop, who was dressed for the occasion in T-shirt,  shorts and running shoes.