The walk, which begins at the Yarrawonga Splash Park at the end of Ely Street and makes its way to the Rowing Club along Chinaman’s Island, begins at 10.30am, with walk up registrations available from 9am for a cost of $30 which goes towards the Australian Rotary Health Research (ARH) program into mental health.
The event is an important occasion to ‘lift the lid’ on local mental health and support local awareness and associated organisations as mental health is an issue that is faced in all sectors of the local community.
This is a large reason why ClubMulwala and CMCU have come onboard as Gold and Silver sponsors to ensure the smooth running of this worthwhile event.
ClubMulwala CEO Alan Rowe said any event that benefits the community and is a great fit for the area is an event worth sponsoring.
“We were one of the first to jump on board. Having 130 staff it’s imperative that we support these types of events and this is just a great fit for the community and our staff,” Mr Rowe said.
“We are going to offer to our staff that if they would like to come down on the day and participate, we will cover their entry cost.
“That is the sort of event it is. It will keep growing because more and more businesses, associations and individuals will embrace it and see the value of it.
“We (ClubMulwala and CMCU) are both community minded and support many initiatives that benefit the whole town as a group and this is what this does.”
CMCU Operations Officer Emma Russo said CMCU jumped at the chance of sponsoring the event this year as it is such a great awareness tool for an illness that many have had some type of experience with.
“CMCU entered a team last year just off their own backs as we wanted to do something together as a team,” Ms Radley said.
“So this year we jumped at the opportunity to sponsor it and members of the board and our chairman, are going to come along and take part.
“A lot of our members would be affected by mental health in one way or another so it’s a way to raise awareness.”
Last year’s inaugural walk and talk format event far exceeded expectations with 200 walkers taking part in perfect weather conditions.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Rotary Club event co-ordinator Ron Kennett said the Rotary Club are hopeful for an even bigger walk this year which has been made possible by the sponsors.
“We cannot thank our major sponsors enough, ClubMulwala as our Gold sponsor, CMCU as our silver and De Maria Mitsubishi as bronze sponsors. We would not be able to hold the event without them.
“We would love the three big clubs and some of the sporting clubs in town to also come down and join in as well but it is important for everybody to note that it is a walk and talk event, not a race.”
An added incentive is that at the end of the walk Rotary will be providing lunch for the day with plenty of professionals and everyday local people around to stop and have a chat with.
Chairperson of Rotary Health Australia Stephen Humphreys will be in attendance as the special guest as well as PA sponsor interviews, guest speaker interviews and several organisations who will be promoting their services.
If any further local businesses would also like to get involved and use a canape to display what they have on offer, contact Ron on 0435 455 727 before the day.
To register before the day visit: www.eventbrite.com.au and search Lift the Lid walk Yarrawonga or walk-up registrations will be accepted from 9am onwards on the day then the walk will begin from 10.30am.
If you would like to donate to the Lift the Lid program or to Australian Rotary Health, please contact the Rotary Club of Yarrawonga Mulwala.
For more information on Australian Rotary Health, visit www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au.
Make sure to register and take part in the LIFT THE LID WALK for Mental Health to assist in research and replacing the stigma of the illness this weekend.
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