Rotary Clubs of Campbelltown SA and Magill Sunrise Inaugural Campbelltown Lift the Lid Walk to raise awareness of the incidence of mental illness in our Australian Communities and to raise Australian Rotary Health Research (ARH) funds for mental Health.

Article by Rotarian Bet (Betty) Gebert,  Chair of Lift the Lid combined clubs walk.

On Sunday 12th February 2023 we held the very successful first of a 3 year annual Event plan to hold these walk and talk Events, starting out from Campbelltown Memorial Oval and linking onto the beautiful River Torrens Linear Park for a 5 km walk and talk, returning from the half way mark at Rotary Park back to Campbelltown Memorial Oval to enjoy a free sausage or vegetarian alternative prepared by the RC Magill Sunrise team and to enjoy the ambience of the Magill Sunrise RC regular Sunday markets, which a number of 'walkers' stayed on to enjoy.

The weather was perfect and the smiles on the faces of registered walkers says it all!

We were delighted to have as our inaugural Ambassador, Emeritus Professor Michael Sawyer Adelaide University who gave a very informative Welcome Address detailing the incidence of mental illness in our communities, and the focus from this year by ARH mental health Research from 0 to 12 years, to promote healthier communities in the future and this was followed by a speech given by our Gold Event Sponsor Paradise Mazda Principal and PDG Jeff Neale (Campbelltown RC member) a very generous benefactor for Rotary programs and projects for D9510 over time.

The two clubs welcomed all attending dignitaries including our D9510 DG Paul Thomas and his wife Katherine, MPS, Campbelltown Councillors and all partners, and members of D9510 District Committee representatives and thanked all Dignitaries, Sponsors and donors and members of the general community who attended and made for a very visible and colourful group of walkers and also our combined Club members support on the day.

Many friendships were made and/or renewed, many local businesses and people joined us to show their collective support for our community based awareness for the incidence of mental illness and our combined Rotary Clubs of Campbelltown SA and Magill Sunrise are very happy to announce a total of funds raised for ARH equals $7,905.11.

The aim is twofold: Raise awareness of the incidence of mental illness in our Australian communities to reduce stigma by lifting our 'lids' and Walk and Talk to raise ARH Funds for mental health Research, today's research is tomorrow's treatment and cures.

There was the fantastic Magill Sunrise Markets available for walkers to attend at the end of this great walk.

Beautiful day, wonderful company, well done to all involved.