ARH UPDATE
Introducing a New Event – The LIFT THE LID WALK for Mental Health The original “WALK FOR MENTAL HEALTH” was the brainchild of passionate mental health advocate Vicki Stewart, Past President and long-time member of the Rotary Club of Mooloolaba (QLD). After three successful years holding the event and raising much needed funds for Australian Rotary Health, we are delighted to share its evolution in 2020 into the “LIFT THE LID WALK for Mental Health.” The walk and talk format is deliberately not a race, but an opportunity to get your locals together to raise awareness of the serious mental health issues we face in all areas of our communities, schools, homes and workplaces. Now more than ever, we need to break down the stigma that continues to plague our society so that people are more comfortable to discuss and seek help for their mental health issues. As the sole benefactor, 100% of funds raised from the LIFT THE LID WALKS will go to supporting vital Australian Rotary Health research. Over the past few months, a dedicated steering committee chaired by IPP Paul Robins, and comprising ARH representatives and Mooloolaba members with vast local walk event experience, have been hard at work creating this new look event format. To start proceedings, the committee recently conducted a series of Zoom presentations to clubs focussed within the Queensland borders, and a couple of welcomed interstate guests. The enthusiasm towards this initiative and the early commitment from clubs to get on board and host an event has been outstanding.
The following dates have been confirmed: • October 11, 2020 - Rotary Club of Mooloolaba, QLD • October 1-31, 2020 – Rotary Club of Hampton, Victoria • November 15, 2020 - Rotary Club of Pine Rivers Daybreak, QLD & Rotary Club of Kipparing-North Lakes, QLD • November 22, 2020 - Rotary Club of Bribie Island, QLD 5 other Queensland locations are confirmed along with Darwin (NT) and Sorrento in Victoria, all yet to announce dates. Locations are: • Mackay • Townsville • Cairns Keep informed by visiting the • Woollongabba Lift the Lid Walk website or • Kingaroy following our Lift the Lid on • Sorrento Mental Illness Facebook page. • Darwin www.liftthelidwalk.com.au/
The Bowden Brothers Support Indigenous Scholar Four Indigenous brothers with a passion for music and a desire to give back have raised $5,000 on the road to support an Australian Rotary Health (ARH) Indigenous Health Scholarship. The Bowden Brothers – comprising of Phil, Grant, Matthew, and Murray – released their album ‘Steady and Strong’ last year and spent time touring through Gloucester (NSW), Tenant Creek (NT), Lightning Ridge (NSW), Mt Isa (QLD) and Longreach (QLD), raising money for ARH along the way. The funds have supported Indigenous Scholar Demi Cheetham, who is studying medicine at the University of Newcastle.
10
ARH Director Brian Beesley who has a long standing relationship with the Bowden Brothers though his club the Rotary Club of Gloucester (NSW), says the brothers have never taken their music on the road before, and wanted to do it with a purpose. “It’s not what you’ve got that counts, it’s what you stand for,” Brian said. On Wednesday September 23rd, Brian presented Grant, the second eldest brother, with a pin to recognise his contribution to Australian Rotary Health. The other brothers have been presented their pins on other occasions. We thank the Bowden Brothers for their incredible support.
(Right) ARH Director Brian Beesley presenting Bowden Brother Grant (left) with a pin of acknowledgement
Buy their album here: www.amazon.com/Steady-StrongBowden-Brothers/dp/B07XXBCZMB
Australian Rotary Health • PO Box 3455 Parramatta NSW 2124 • Phone 02 8837 1900 • www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au