Lifestyle Initiatives
The Lidwill Organisation is invested in progressively improving the standards of general health in Australia and the world’s population. In acknowledgement of the lifestyle activities enjoyed by Dr Mark Lidwill throughout his 91 years of life, the Organisation promotes the virtues of healthy living through coordinating and sponsoring a relevant range of healthy lifestyle initiatives. The Organisation’s objectives include working to reduce the incidence of chronic illness and heart disease and particularly to improve the standard of health of Australia’s youth through encouraging and facilitating participation in outdoor recreation and sports activities.
Fishing
As a world-renown angler, acknowledged for his “world’s first Black Marlin catch”, Dr Mark Lidwill’s legacy provides an ideal platform for the Lidwill Organisation to promote recreational fishing across Australia as part of our healthy lifestyle initiatives.
An accessible and healthy outdoor activity, fishing provides many therapeutic benefits. To simply commune with nature, connected to the environment and without the requirement for incessant interaction with technology, can improve physical health and mental wellbeing.
The Lidwill Organisation direct funding and resources towards the promotion of healthy lifestyle initiatives including recreational and game fishing competitions and activities.
World’s First – Black Marlin caught in 1913 by Dr Mark Lidwill remains on permanent display at the Australian Museum.
Rowing
Mark Lidwill was a champion athlete and an elite rower for Melbourne Grammar School and the University of Melbourne. A dedicated oarsman, Mark trained on the Yarra River in Melbourne and participated in numerous rowing regattas.
A team player, Lidwill appreciated the solidarity and quiet determination required to master the sport of rowing. Rowing is recognised as being holistically beneficial for wellbeing, building robust health and developing mental resilience.
The Lidwill Organisation provide resources and incentives to promote the sport of rowing across youth, adult and competition activities in Australia.
1895 Melbourne Grammar School 1st Rowing Crew – Mark Lidwill (top right).
Golf
Dr Mark Lidwill founded the Beecroft Golf Club in 1906. Lidwill presided as the President of the Club which was the genesis of the Pennant Hills Golf Club in 1923. Dr Lidwill’s pivotal role in the establishment of the club is chronicled in the Diamond Jubilee publication produced by the Pennant Hills Golf Club which remains in company with the Royal Sydney Golf Club one of Australia’s longest-established golf clubs.
The Lidwill Organisation host an annual golf event to celebrate Dr Lidwill’s legacy and to raise funds for the Organisation’s healthy lifestyle initiatives.
Early 20th Century Pennant Hills Golf Club – 18th Tee and Green.
Music
Dr Mark Lidwill was academically brilliant and creatively talented. Lidwill played flute in both Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras. Lidwill recognised the importance of culture and the arts and was resolved in his belief that the activity of playing music brought beneficial outcomes for mind, body and spirit for both players and listeners.
The Lidwill Organisation initiatives to acknowledge and encourage classical musicians include the Lidwill Prize for Musicianship awarded to selected students from universities across Australia.
Mark Cowley Lidwill – Flautist, Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras.