A young boy from Forest Lake living with vision loss received assistance from the local Lions Club to take part in a national sports competition held in Western Australia.
Local Donation Enables Sporting Success
The Lions Club of Forest Lake Inc. recently approved a community donation to assist 11-year-old Rowan Gillam, a Forest Lake resident, in travelling to Perth to represent Queensland in the School Sports Australia National Championships, held 30 March to 5 April.
Rowan, who competes with the support of a guide runner, secured gold in the Aquathlon. The race was held in extreme heat, but the pair’s determination saw them finish on top.
Severe Injury Altered His Life
Rowan’s path to the podium began in adversity. At just seven years old, he was involved in a life-threatening motocross crash at Fort Lytton Motocross Club. Thrown 15 metres from his motorbike, Rowan sustained multiple head injuries and was placed in a coma.
He underwent a procedure to have a section of his skull removed to ease brain pressure and subsequently experienced a stroke. As a result, Rowan became blind.
Ongoing Recovery and Sporting Determination
Since the accident, Rowan has undergone extensive rehabilitation and has shown resilience through sport. He began participating in athletics with the Toowong Harriers and was recognised in 2023 as a Sport Access Foundation grant recipient under the ‘No Barriers’ category. This grant supports young athletes aged 7 to 12 with disability across Australia.
Photo Credit: Acceleration Australia/Instagram
Forest Lake Community Proud of Local Athlete
Lions Club members have expressed pride in Rowan’s performance and continue to follow his journey. The community support reflects a broader commitment to inclusive sport and empowering youth with disability to pursue their ambitions.
The Lions Club has indicated that updates on Rowan’s future competitions will be shared with the local community.
Published 25-Apr-2025