TOM HAYES
By TOM HAYES
THE Big Blokes BBQ is back in 2023, after a three-year hiatus due to COVID. On Friday, June 2, one of the region’s largest single day fundraising activities will take place, with proceeds hoped to benefit for 12 months or more. Since the event started in 2013, the total amount of money raised is close to $700,000. One in seven Australian men will develop Prostate Cancer in their life, while 3300 men lose their life to the disease each year. The Gippsland and Latrobe region has a 30 per cent higher mortality rate compared to other parts of Victoria, one of the highest rates in the country. Alongside the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), a small committee of volunteers help run the event. The PCFA is the major body that co-ordinates research, education, awareness and advocacy against Prostate Cancer. A proportion of the money made by the Latrobe Committee is donated to the PCFA, designed for use within the Gippsland region. Previously, money was able to provide a dedicated Prostate Cancer nurse at Latrobe Regional Hospital, serving two days per week. The remaining monies are used for initiatives that are directly funded by the local committee. The committee has funded a number of activities including research projects through Monash University Medicine, Nursing and Health Services, local awareness campaigns, research projects and financial assistance to aid the purchase of specialist equipment in local hospitals. There has never been a greater time to raise awareness for this disease, since the impacts of COVID has resulted in a reported decrease in men seeking medical advice. From 11am to 4.30pm at the Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park (Falcons Park), Latrobe’s Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ will be in action. Tables of 10 cost $1500, which include all food, drinks and entertainment. Specials guests include comedian Tom Siegert (the Suburban Footballer), Collingwood legend Peter Daicos and Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown. Daicos played 250 games for Collingwood, and kicked 549 goals in a career spanning from 1979 to 1993. He was a member of the drought breaking 1990 premiership, and was renowned for his ability to kick freakish goals from all angles. Brown played 159 games for Hawthorn, as well as 46 with Gold Coast between 2002 and 2013. For table bookings and enquires, email info@lvbigblokesbbq.com.au Other points of contact include Bruce Ellen (0412 527 146), Alfi Prestipino (0412 747 476), Ian Nethercote (0418 513 808), Adrian Salvatore (0437 019 873) and Mark Answerth (0439 750 088).
