From Idea to Impact
What began as a modest collaboration has now grown to involve 26 Rotary clubs across 20 Queensland communities. Through this network, Rotary raised and delivered its first $100,000 cheque to QBI last year—an effort led by our club and presented by President Angela alongside Tim. It marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to support ground-breaking research into the brain and its diseases.
Why the Brain? Why Now?
Tim asked a question many in the room were thinking: “Why study the brain?” His answer was simple
—because prevention is better than cure, and the brain holds the key. By supporting neuroscience, we move upstream, tackling the causes of suffering before they become lifelong burdens.
He highlighted QBI’s world-leading work in dementia, Alzheimer's, autism, depression, and sports concussion, including a first-of-its-kind study on the long-term effects of concussion in young athletes. But for Rotary, dementia is the focus.
The Reality of Dementia
Tim didn’t sugar-coat the stats:
Someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds.
It's now the second leading cause of death in Australia—and the leading cause of death for women.
It’s expected to become Queensland’s leading cause of death by the end of the year.
One in 12 of us already shows early signs.
He explained how dementia strips away life, beginning with the brain’s decline and ending in a domino effect that affects breathing, eating, immunity, and mobility. Many leave us not from one illness, but the compounding impact dementia has on everything else.
A Rotary Response
Tim made the case that Rotary has both the heart and the network to make a difference. He called on clubs to support the Queensland Centenary Breakthrough Project—with three ways to get involved:
Donate directly to QBI
Contribute via the Rotary Club of Brisbane
Speak to incoming DG Mark Williams
He also encouraged clubs to arrange speakers and vocational visits to QBI, while kindly asking that any visits include a donation to respect the researchers’ time.
The Final Line That Hit Home
Tim closed with the words: “As the professor said, please remember us. I would simply say—will you forget, when you leave the auditorium?”
For many in the room, it was the most powerful moment of the day.