The Conquer the Summit event, which is held in April each year, has been an undertaking of the Mount Barker Lions Club, for some 6 years, with assistance on the day from the Rotary Club of Mount Barker. The event is an 11km run (or walk) from Keith Stephenson Park, along the Linear Trail, then up to the Mount Barker Summit and raises funds for Operation Flinders, a program that provides support and guidance to "young adults at risk".This year, the Mount Barker Lions Club approached the Rotary Club of Mount Barker proposing the event becomes a Joint Service Club event, to which the Rotary Club of Mount Barker agreed.
A Joint Management Committee was established with representatives from each Club, and an independent Chairperson, Brian Haddy, It was also decided to approach South Australian Road Runners Club for their involvement as well.
Through generous support of numerous sponsors, plus the Mount Barker Council, the Joint Management Committee raised the profile of the event such that, the number of participants in this year's event rose to 280, compared to 110 last year.
An event was held on Wednesday, 25th July at Auchandarroch to present the proceeds of the event to Operation Flinders. Invited were members of Mount Barker Lions, Rotary Club of Mount Barker, South Australian Road Runners Club, our generous Sponsors, Mount Barker Council and Operation Flinders.
The evening culminated in a cheque for $15,030 being presented to Jonathon Robran (Business Development Manager) and Conner Mansell (Peer Group Mentor) from Operation Flinders by Joint Committee Chair Brian Haddy, President of the Rotary Club of Mount Barker, President of Mount Barker Lions Brian Duff and Mayor of Mount Barker Council Ann Fergusson.