By RUSSELL BENNETT
MORE than 300 blokes from throughout the Casey Cardinia region enjoyed a fun day out on Friday with a very serious message about prostate cancer.
The guest speakers at the first Casey Cardinia Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ were a who’s who of Australian sporting and entertainment identities – led by former Australian Test cricketer and self-proclaimed ‘bowlologist’ Damien Fleming.
AFL games record holder and local resident Michael Tuck, former spearhead Scott Cummings and Coodabeen Champions star Greg Champion all had the audience in hysterics in their own unique ways.
It helped to keep the mood light while never forgetting the reason why the event was held.
Scott Cummings mainly joked about a topic he’s an expert in – getting traded – but his father is a two-time prostate cancer survivor.
St John of God urologist Scott Donnellan urged all the men in the audience who were over 45, or over 40 if their father had the disease, to get checked.
The disease can, and does, hit blokes from all walks of life.
MC Brian Paynter interviewed prostate cancer survivors Carl Strachan and Brendan Fitzsimmons.
Star News Group editor Garry Howe, who chaired the organising committee for the event, spoke of the impact of prostate cancer to those in the crowd.
He said one of the guests had emailed just that morning to apologise for pulling out at the last minute, but explained that his father only had a couple of days to live – and that his troubles had started with prostate cancer.
Mr Howe said the day was as much about herding a group of blokes into the one room and giving them a message about the importance of getting checked – something men are not typically renowned for.
He said the organising committee was thrilled with the way the day went and that it was the first of what he hoped would be many such events.
“We haven’t got a final fundraising amount yet but a significant amount of money will find its way into coffers for prostate cancer research,” he said.
The committee would like to thank the sponsors of the event, the Cardinia Cultural Centre and its staff and the Rotary Club of Pakenham, which volunteered to cook the barbecue.
