Last Friday’s East Gippsland’s Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ Lunch again attracted a sold out crowd to Cremin Hall in Bairnsdale.
It was the 13th year the barbecue has been held as a fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Australia. The fundraiser contributes funds to the local prostate cancer specialist nurse, the East Gippsland Prostate Cancer Support Group leader and of course the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Australia.
This year again the fundraising event is on target to raise more than $60,000 to be distributed to these recipients.
“The event is a salute to the organising committee firstly, local community involvement and the benevolent contributions of individuals, local business and businesses from out of town too,” chairman of the committee Bob Yeates said.
“Without these generous contributions each year the event would simply run out of steam.
“The aim of the day is of course a fundraiser and to raise the awareness of men’s health but the success of the day is also the gathering of blokes to simply have a chat with their mates, enjoy the entertainment on the day and have a good laugh.”
Mr Yeates said that is the real success of the day, “it’s as simple as that”.
“There are few events like it and there has never been any fuss,” he said.
More than 320 blokes sat down to lunch and absorb the entertainment provided by perhaps Australia’s last professional ventriloquist, Darren Carr, and his little mate from the Gold Coast. They were backed up by well-known retired AFL games record holder, North Melbourne footballer Brent “Boomer” Harvey. Brent was interviewed by senior Network 7 newsreader Nick McCallum.
Comedian Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann was emcee for the day, adding his personal comic touch to proceedings.
Local prostate cancer specialist nurse, Ashley Leach, said a few words and asked the the audience “if you have been touched by prostate cancer to put their hand up”. Perhaps 90 per cent of hands went up – an astoundingly honest response by blokes, giving a reality check.
A low light on proceedings was all cans from the event were stolen, angering the committee. These cans were to be returned to Tambo Waste, who donated bins for the event for recycling, with the money made from each can to be added to the fundraising total.
