Our Kate returns to Bendigo
Rachel Brown
Saturday, 4 February 2006

KATE DeAraugo will return to Bendigo this month to perform at the city's historic Queen's Baton Relay celebrations as part of the Commonwealth Games.
The City of Greater Bendigo yesterday confirmed the Australian Idol will sing from a stage built on the steps of The Capital in View Street.

The 20-year-old singer, whose debut single, Maybe Tonight, reached number one in the first week of its release, will entertain crowds for 20 minutes before the baton arrives about 5.30 pm, acting manager for cultural development and events Scott Gruar said.

A second stage, on the lawns outside the Bendigo Art Gallery, will be erected for local musicians to perform throughout the day.

"We're turning View Street into a Games precinct," Mr Gruar said.

"It's great to have Kate come back to Bendigo and with the baton arriving, there will be a great crowd."

Time has been allocated for the singer to sign autographs after her performance, which is scheduled for 2 pm.

The singer's parents, Paul and Susan DeAraugo, said Kate was thrilled to finally perform at her home town since her profile exploded after winning the Idol crown in December.

"She has been dying to get back to Bendigo," Mrs DeAraugo said.

"It has been hard for her to get home since Idol, but it's all fallen into place and is an ideal opportunity for her to catch up with old friends and sign autographs," he said.

Kate's return coincides with the in-store release of her second single, Faded.

The Advertiser has been told a special signing could take place in Bendigo to celebrate the release of the track - which features on her debut album, A Place I've Never Been - but it could not be confirmed by Sony BMG yesterday.

As Kate leads the music scene, art and craft markets will line the central business district, as thousands of tourists are expected to converge for the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Celebrations will continue throughout the weekend with a free community breakfast planned at the Bendigo Rowing Club from 8 am on Sunday, February 19.

The baton will arrive on day 25 of its Victorian tour, with more than 50 central Victorians signed-up to run.

The Melbourne 2006 Queens Baton Relay is the world's longest, most inclusive relay, travelling more than 180,000 kilometres and visiting all 71 nations of the Commonwealth in one year and a day.

In the lead-up to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, the baton will visit more than 500 Australian communities and be carried more than 21,000 kilometres by 3500 relay runners.

it's great news for bendigo, they are so lucky
:Kate: :P

Yea, they are very lucky :D