Home » ‘Lift the Lid’ walk for mental health

‘Lift the Lid’ walk for mental health

Daniel Bouwmeester    December 7, 2023    3 min read   

By Sue Roger

Community Services Director – Greater Springfield Rotary

On October 29, the Rotary Clubs of Brisbane Taylor Bridge, Brisbane Centenary, and Greater Springfield united their efforts to inaugurate the Lift the Lid Walk.

This annual event is a tangible expression of support for “Lifting the Lid” on mental illness, and is Australian Rotary Health’s (ARH) flagship national fundraising initiative dedicated to mental health research.

Members of Greater Springfield Rotary (pictured) cooked BBQ sausages for approximately 80 participants who embarked on a 5km stroll through the scenic Rocks Riverside Park, engaging in both physical activity and open conversations – all while rallying behind Rotary Health.

We are proud to announce the Brisbane City Council as our dedicated 2023 corporate partner, committed to Building a Better Brisbane, with the support of the Councillor for Jamboree Ward Sarah Hutton.

Our Rotary Clubs eagerly anticipate next year’s walk.

A big “thank you” to the businesses who supported us on the day: The Coffee Guy, Xtreme Ice Cream Van, Omega Wellness Centre Springfield, and Austfirst Lending.

Walking roots

There are 24 Lift the Lid walks held throughout Australia each year.

These fundraising walks act as powerful tools to raise awareness about the 1 in 5 Australians grappling with mental illness – especially young people.

The roots of this impactful campaign trace back to 2016 when Australian Rotary Health Vice Chairman Greg Ross founded it in partnership with Rotary Clubs of Victoria.

Its resounding success has since rippled across the nation, embraced by Rotary Clubs far and wide.

You can contribute to this vital cause by hosting a Hat Day, sponsoring a Lift the Lid Walk, or organising other events to generate funds for Australian Rotary Health.

ARH takes pride in being one of the foremost independent supporters of mental health research in the country, backed by research grants, fellowships, and PhD scholarships.

As a project aligned with the Rotary Districts of Australia and bolstered by the support of Rotary Clubs, its vision is to enhance the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

For more information about how Rotary Health helps with Mental Health Research, Education, and Awareness, please visit australianrotaryhealth.org.au.

– Sue Roger

Community Services Director


The Greater Springfield Rotary Club meets every Thursday from 6:30pm at the Aveo auditorium, at 2 Symphony Way, Springfield Central.

Meat tray raffle fundraising night takes place Fridays from 6:30pm at Ballistic Beer Springfield.


See also: Greater Springfield Rotary Club attends Bordie Awards

Greater Springfield Rotary Club attends Bordie Awards

Daniel Bouwmeester

Daniel was born in a mining town in New South Wales to Dutch and Welsh immigrants, before relocating to Logan City, where he attended Canterbury College for twelve years. He pursued his passion for music by completing a first-class honours degree at the University of Queensland (UQ), and later signed with a local record label. He has travelled the world from a young age, including a student exchange in rural France, a job working the ski lifts in Colorado, and visits to the islands of the South Pacific. After a six-year career in market research, Daniel returned to UQ to complete a Bachelor of Journalism and Arts dual degree, majoring in political science. His varied experiences at home and abroad have contributed to a passion for spreading good news while defending the truth buried inside complex societal paradigms.