Torquay Rotary Club lifts the lid on mental health

THE Torquay Rotary Club has extended this year’s annual ‘Lift the Lid’ Crazy Hat Competition to raise money and awareness for mental illness.

‘Lift the Lid on Mental Illness’ is the Australian Rotary Health’s national annual fundraiser, which takes place every October for World Mental Health Month.

Rotary clubs across Australia will be crafting crazy hats as part of the campaign to lift the stigma surrounding mental health.

Torquay Rotary Club President Jan Emmett hopes members of the surf coast community will make a donation and create their very own hat to help raise funds for mental health research.

“On average, one in five Australians experience mental health each year,” Ms Emmett says.

“It’s more important than ever we continue to fund mental health research, especially for our youth.”

Last year, Torquay Rotary donated $4000 to Australian Rotary Health and is eager to match this figure in 2020.

But COVID-19 restrictions have caused rotary clubs to change the way they fundraise, which is why the Torquay Rotary is reaching out to the community to get involved.

“It’s a big fundraiser, we can’t do it on our own,” Ms Emmett says.

“Every cent donated will go to funding vital mental health research.”

Instead of hosting their usual barbeques and in-person fundraising events, the rotary club will be holding the crazy hat competition fundraiser via Zoom, with donations starting at $5.

“All you need to do is take a photo in your hat, complete the entry form and send the form and your photo to the Rotary Club of Torquay, plus make a donation of a minimum of $5 to the ‘Lift the Lid on Mental Illness’ campaign.”

There are four categories to enter this year, including the Best Handcrafted Hat, the Most Outrageous Hat, the Best ‘Lift the Lid’ Themed Hat and the Best Pet Hat.

Chocolate, wine and gift vouchers will be among the prizes awarded to the winner of each category

Ms Emmet is encouraging kids to get involved too, with the winner of the Best Pet Hat category receiving a gift voucher to Torquay Toys.

“You can make your hat as crazy, as stupid or sassy as you like,” Ms Emmett says.

Entries for the ‘Lift the Lid’ Crazy Hat Competition close on Saturday October 10.

Members of the community are invited to join the Torquay Rotary Zoom meeting at 7pm on Monday October 12 when the winners will be announced.

Head to torquayrotary.org.au for more details.