Gary Mckitterick Gillett: A Driving Force for Parkinson’s Awareness

Thursday, 26th February 2026

Gary Mckitterick-Gillet has been a long-time supporter of Shake It Up, with his organisation Trek Ready Himalayas taking groups on treks since 2016 in support of research into a Parkinson’s cure. His dedication to changing the future for people living with Parkinson’s is a testament to the wide-ranging impact that fundraising can achieve. It’s not only about the vital dollars raised, but the huge swell of community awareness and understanding about Parkinson’s disease, and the growing community of people rallying around this important cause.

This year, Gary is not only leading his biggest group ever on a life-changing trek, but has garnered the support of corporate partners and community members with a range of fundraising and advocacy activities in support of Parkinson’s Awareness Month. From Pancakes and Painting to a golf day swinging for a cure, Gary is a true fundraising powerhouse, creating connection and collaboration in support of our shared vision: a world without Parkinson’s. The incredible trekkers, sponsors and supporters that take part are all helping to solve the Parkinson’s puzzle, embodying the spirit of the saying, “from little things, big things grow.”

Gary reflected on last year’s fundraising efforts, and the spirit of community that helped make it such a success.

“What a wonderful achievement, 19 Australians each helping to raise a conversation about Parkinsons Disease, breaking down barriers and societal norms. Aged from 16 to 73. These people have trekked, to 5416M over the Thorang La Pass in Nepal, on the Annapurna Circuit. Covering 128Km in total.

Over the past few months they also chatted at local Men’s sheds, coffee shops, helped sell pancakes at the local Coffee Club café, held Tibetan dinners, conducted golf days, sold out, had BBQs at Bunnings, made many phone calls, conducted raffles, held head shaving events and harassed sponsors, nicely of course, All with the goal of raising awareness and of course funds for Parkinsons Disease research in Australia.

A record $52,000 has been achieved and all donated to Shake it Up Australia to fund research in Australia to find better treatments for PD. The greatest achievement this year has been the conversations held, the barriers broken down, and of course the money raised.”

We heard from Gary, as well as two key supporters for this year’s fundraising efforts, 60 Plus Playground and Century 21 on Duporth, about their inspiration to raise funds for research, and their connection to this crucial cause.

Painting for Parkinson’s

On 27th February, a special art exhibition and twilight charity art auction will take place, featuring large and vivid works by award winning artist Rob Mortimer, who will also appear in person to share the stories and inspiration behind his work. In a powerful act of generosity, a portion of all proceeds from the event will go directly toward funding vital Parkinson’s research through Shake It Up Australia.

Hosted by 60 Plus Playground, who are also taking part in this year’s trek to the Himalayas, the event invites guests to experience the meaningful intersection of creativity and impact — where every brushstroke helps move research closer to a cure.

“At 60 Plus Playground, our mission is to inspire the community, challenge ageism and prove that life after 60 is a time of strength, purpose and possibility. Supporting Shake It Up Australia aligns powerfully with that vision”, creative director Kerrie Peck told us.

“With members of our team taking on the Trek Ready Himalayas challenge, we felt a deep responsibility to turn that commitment into meaningful action. Hosting this event allows us to raise vital funds for Parkinson’s research while bringing the community together in support of those living with the condition. It’s about impact on every level research, awareness and connection. We are behind Shake It Up Australia and Trek Ready Himalayas 100%.”

The event will feature a range of guest speakers, including Gary, Kerrie and Neil Collier, Director of Silver Fox Initiative, a community-based mental health support group in Queensland. Silver Fox Initiative has also been a dedicated supporter of Trek Ready Himalayas and Shake It Up, telling the Sunshine Valley Gazette last year that it was a natural fit, highlighting the mental health challenges often associated with Parkinson’s.

For Kerrie Peck and the 60 Plus Playground team, meeting Gary in 2025 was a turning point for the organisation. “His leadership, passion and unwavering commitment to finding a cure for Parkinson’s made the decision clear and we wanted to stand alongside that mission.”

That’s why the team have also chosen to take part in the 2026 Himalayas trek, as well as hosting the Painting event.

“The Himalayas trek represents more than a physical challenge”, Kerrie says. “It symbolises resilience, determination and hope. By taking on this journey, we’re not only supporting critical research through Shake It Up Australia, but also demonstrating that purpose-driven challenges can unite people, businesses and communities for something far greater than themselves.”

Swinging for a Cure

Next on the agenda for 2026, is a Golf Day hosted by Century 21 on Duporth in support of Trek Ready Himalayas and Shake It Up Australia. This is the second year of this unforgettable event, and will see 128 players, 32 teams, and an amazing community coming together in support of our mission to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s disease. From epic drives to friendly rivalries, from silent and live auctions to generous hole sponsorships, every dollar raised goes to Shake It Up.

The 2025 event raised a huge $23,000 for Parkinson’s research, exceeding the expectations of the team and proving how generous and supportive the Sunshine Coast community is.

Chloe Seckington at Century 21 told us, “We’re deeply passionate about supporting causes that directly impact people in our local community. Swing for Parkinson’s began through our connection with Gary and his fundraising efforts alongside Trek Ready Himalayas and Shake It Up Australia.”

For the team, it’s not just about one single evenT. It’s a chance to use their network, relationships and platform to create real impact. “When we learned more about the impact Parkinson’s has on thousands of Australians, including many right here on the Sunshine Coast, we knew we wanted to get involved in a meaningful way”, Chloe says. “Hosting the Golf Day felt like the perfect fit. It brings people together, creates connection, and allows local businesses to rally behind a cause that truly matters.”

Reflecting on the 2025 event, Chloe said “The atmosphere on the day was electric, competitive but fun, supportive and genuinely heartfelt. For our team, it was also a proud moment to step outside of our day-to-day roles and contribute to something bigger than real estate. Watching businesses collaborate, form new connections and rally behind Parkinson’s research made all the hard work worthwhile.”

Creating a Movement in Support of Research

Gary’s not stopping there. From fundraising dinners to a Pancakes for Parkinson’s event held on World Parkinson’s Day, his commitment to change is truly inspiring to our team at Shake It Up.

We are so thankful to every single supporter who takes part in these initiatives, from the trekkers training to take on a huge physical challenge, to the corporate partners dedicated to using their platform for good. Together, they are creating a movement that is having a remarkable impact.

When Gary was nominated for the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards, the nomination highlighted the symbolic nature of the annual Himalayas treks, which have become a journey of resilience.

Months of training mirror the daily challenges often faced by people with Parkinson’s, while grassroots fundraising in Australia from every initiative – art auctions, golf days, pancake stalls, raffles, dinners, BBQs – they all build empathy and spark conversations.

For 60 Plus Playground, “Making a difference doesn’t require perfection, it requires commitment. When businesses step forward with purpose, the ripple effect is extraordinary.”

“Aligning your business with a meaningful cause creates clarity, purpose and connection”, Kerrie says. “Supporting a charity like Shake It Up Australia doesn’t just contribute to vital research – it strengthens team culture, builds genuine relationships, promotes work–life balance and creates shared experiences that energise and unite people.”

For the Century 21 team, it’s important to align with a cause that genuinely resonates. “When the motivation is authentic, people feel it”, Chloe says. Their advice for other organisations wanting to make a difference?

“You don’t have to do something huge straight away. Begin with what suits your network and strengths, whether that’s hosting an event, leveraging your database, or partnering with an existing initiative. The key is consistency and commitment.Most importantly, invite others to be part of it. Businesses have incredible influence within their communities, when we use that platform to bring people together, the impact multiplies quickly. Our experience has shown that people want to support meaningful initiatives. Sometimes they just need someone to lead the charge.”

There’s still time to join the 2026 Himalayas Trek for the adventure of a lifetime! Help Trek Ready Himalayas achieve their biggest fundraising goal ever of $100,000 raised for research, and become part of a community movement that is changing the future for people with Parkinson’s. Find out more or support this year’s trekkers here.