Families, friends, runners and community groups filled Rocks Riverside Park on Sunday morning as the Brisbane Memory Walk & Jog brought hundreds of people to Seventeen Mile Rocks in support of Australians living with dementia.
Held on 14 June, the annual event drew 1,478 participants and 89 teams to the popular riverside park, with fundraising reaching $193,631 for Dementia Australia programs, services and research. The result placed the event close to its $200,000 target and turned a local park into one of Brisbane’s largest community fundraising gatherings of the weekend.
A Morning of Movement Along the Brisbane River
From early morning, participants gathered at Rocks Riverside Park to take part in a range of distances, including a 2.5-kilometre walk, a five-kilometre walk or jog, and a 10-kilometre timed run.
The event welcomed people of different ages and fitness levels. Some participants took part to honour family members affected by dementia, while others joined friends, workplaces and community teams to support a cause that touches many Australian households.
As runners and walkers moved through the riverside course, the park became a meeting place for families, carers, supporters and volunteers united by a shared goal. The atmosphere reflected the community spirit that has become a hallmark of the Memory Walk & Jog series across Australia.
Seventeen Mile Rocks Hosts a Major Community Event
While participants travelled from across Brisbane, the event placed Seventeen Mile Rocks at the centre of a city-wide fundraising effort.
Rocks Riverside Park has become a regular venue for large-scale outdoor events thanks to its open green spaces and riverfront setting. On Sunday, the park welcomed nearly 1,500 participants, creating a strong turnout for a community-focused event in Brisbane’s western suburbs.
The gathering also highlighted the role local public spaces play in bringing people together around important social and health issues. For many attendees, the event offered an opportunity not only to raise money but also to connect with others who understand the challenges dementia can bring to families.
Raising Funds for Dementia Support and Research
Memory Walk & Jog is organised by Dementia Australia, the national organisation that supports people living with dementia, their families and carers.
Funds raised through the event help support a range of services, including education programs, counselling, advocacy and research initiatives. Dementia Australia has stated that community fundraising events play an important role in helping the organisation continue its work across the country.
The Brisbane event’s fundraising total of $193,631 represented a significant contribution towards those efforts and demonstrated the level of support the cause continues to receive from the community.
A Cause That Touches Many Families
Dementia remains one of Australia’s major health challenges, affecting hundreds of thousands of people nationwide. Beyond those diagnosed, the condition also affects partners, children, relatives and carers who often provide ongoing support.
The event was about more than completing a walk or run. It was an opportunity to stand alongside others facing similar experiences and to contribute towards services that help families navigate the impacts of dementia.
The turnout demonstrated the willingness of people across Brisbane to support dementia awareness and services, while also showcasing Seventeen Mile Rocks as a destination for major community events.
Published 15-June-2026
