‘HAT DAY’
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
Eventhough the official ‘Hat Day’ is recognised for October annually , you are not required to be locked into this particular date or month .
If Mental Health Week does not suit your busy time – table you may choose any date that suits to host your fun ‘Hat Day’ during each calendar year .
If you wish to host a ‘Hat Day’ at your workplace or as individuals to raise funds toward Bipolar Research you are required to register your event: www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au and you may/may not choose a kit (the choice of event is entirely your free choice) that suits your theme to raise funds for The Ian Parker Bipolar Fund – Bipolar Research. Be sure to reference your details as the Ian Parker Bipolar Fund as beneficiary of your proceeds:
www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au
Have lots of fun finding a ‘marked down’ hat, fascinator, beanie or you may choose to make your own novelty of any style or colour of choice, create lots of fun and even involve the kids for a great cause!! We have a person who hands around a sturdy hat as a collection bucket for donations…we include a gold coin fine for any who arrive hatless!! The local op shops and many variety stores often allow for a great bargain to be found!! You may be able to have a competition for the most decorated hat, the brightest, hat, the biggest hat, the smallest hat, the funkiest hat!! Everyone enjoys a little box of lollies or chocolates. Prizes do not have to be expensive – keep it within everyone’s budget to enjoy the moment for everyone who wishes to be involved.
‘Hat Day’ may be hosted from any country around the Globe if you wish to participate in this worthy cause.
Your donation of funds raised may be entered through the ‘Donate’ button on this site or a cheque may be posted to:
The Ian Parker Bipolar Fund, P O Box 534 Colac 3250 Vic Australia.
(If choose to forward a cheque be certain to add a return address if require a tax receipt or other acknowledgment).
Either choice will see your group acknowledged by Australian Rotary Health with a tax receipt for those who wish to claim their donation/s for tax purposes. Please be sure to ‘reference’: Ian Parker Bipolar Fund to be certain your funds raised are directed to Bipolar Research.
Raising funds for the Australian Rotary Health / Ian Parker Bipolar Fund PhD Scholarship for Bipolar Research.
Carol welcomes all enquiries: carol@bipolarresearchfund.org.au
Australian Rotary Health Official ‘Hat Day’ combined with Mental Health Week!! 
See attached ARH article which went into Research Australia’s Autumn magazine, GrassROOTS, – see page 7
http://issuu.com/graydesigngroup/docs/grassroots-autumn2013-web/7?e=5197523/1565424
PLEASE SUPPORT HAT DAY!! any day of the year for your ‘Hat DAy” event of support is ok!
A Purple ’Donation’ Hat will be passed around on the night of the Rotary Club of Colac West Dinner for donations of a Gold Coin with all proceeds raised from this event passed onto the Australian Rotary Health / Ian Parker Bipolar Fund PhD Scholarship for Bipolar Research.
TO ALL MEN and WOMEN: Your support is vital and is always very much appreciated.
About Hat Day
More than four million people are affected by mental illnesses such as depression,
schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, anxiety and bipolar disorder at some point during their life.
Not only does mental illness affect the quality of life of these Australians, but it also represents a huge cost to be borne by families, communities and the economy.
Australian Rotary Health’s first action and awareness day, Hat Day for Mental Health Research aims to bring the importance of mental health research to the fore. 
The inaugural Hat Day was launched on the 20th May 2011 in Sydney’s
Martin Place where 301 people marked the occasion by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most paper hats worn in one place.
A number of smaller Hat day celebrations were held by Rotary Clubs and supporters all over the country with district 9700 being the highest fundraising Rotary District. Over $100,000 was raised for mental illness as a result of Hat Day.
