Ms Tinning will have the honour of carrying the Queen's Baton on day 71 of the 100-day journey around Australia to the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games.

She will carry the baton through Cloncurry on Tuesday March 6 2018.

“Even though the baton is not coming through McKinlay Shire, we are very proud to have a local community member like Amy selected for this opportunity,” McKinlay Shire Mayor, Belinda Murphy said.

Ms Tinning was recognised for her contribution to her community via arts and culture. 

Ms Tinning owns and operates a Julia Creek based dance school, Branches Performing Arts whereby she instructs 34 students. 

Some students travel hundreds of kilometres each week to partake in the lessons. In many cases, this is the first time students have participated in an organised sport thus greatly enhancing their coordination and gross motor skills.

“A lot of my students competently ride horses and motorbikes as part of their daily lives on cattle stations,” Ms Tinning said.

“When I started my school three years ago, the majority of my students had never attended a formal training session or lesson of any kind.

“It is so rewarding to see their improvements in not only their physical ability but their confidence and spatial awareness.”

Branches Performing Arts has conducted workshops in a number of north-west Queensland towns thus spreading Ms Tinning’s love for dance. Her students also compete in a number of eisteddfods including Charters Towers, Mount Isa and Townsville where they are exceptionally competitive.

The Commonwealth Games will open on April 4, 2018, and will be the biggest sporting event Australia will see this decade.