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Cancer care on Biggest Blokes’ menu

By Ryan Bellingham

Oct 8, 2025

The Echuca-Moama Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch has continued to prove a recipe for fundraising success. Pictured are Joe Guiney, Riley Murphy, Ben Reid, Ben Murdoch, Sam Reid and Jesse Dean. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The 13th Echuca-Moama Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch followed its tried and true formula to deliver another smash fundraiser for men’s health.

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An ever-popular fixture on the local calendar, 320 patrons gathered at Echuca Racing Club on Friday, October 3, for an afternoon of food, drink and charity.

Jack Magoo, Jake Wallace and Lachlan Dundee. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Funds raised from the event, organised by the Horizon Committee, go towards Echuca Regional Health’s prostate cancer nurse, providing direct benefits to the community.

The event began with a pre-recorded message from Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia chief executive Jeff Dunn before guest speakers took to the stage.

Andrew Parkinson, Glenn Wales, Buddha McMinn, Steven Morley, Grant Gardiner and Sean Barrey. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Horizon Committee president Garet Stobaus thanked attendees for their support, and former Australian cricketer Damien Fleming entertained the crowd with tales of the all-conquering national team.

ERH chief executive Carol-Anne Lever acknowledged the event’s impact, while prostate cancer specialist nurse Serena Morley raised some alarming statistics.

Former Australian cricketer Damien Fleming. Photo by Ryan Bellingham

“Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. It overtook breast cancer about 15 months ago,” she said.

“There’s one in five diagnosed in their lifetime, and we know that rural men in Australia have a 20 per cent higher rate of dying from prostate cancer than men in urban areas.”

While the figures are damning, Mrs Morley said the five-year survival rate for localised prostate cancer was nearly 100 per cent, and early detection could save lives.

Horizon Committee president Garet Stobaus. Photo by Oliver Shedden

Mrs Morley encouraged the men to visit their GP for a prostate-specific antigen test, which can detect the disease, and thanked attendees for their continued support.

After lunch, Mr Fleming guided fellow former Australian cricketer Peter Siddle in a Q and A, taking queries from the crowd.

Following auctions, comedian Evan Hocking amused the guests with a stand-up comedy performance.

Echuca Regional Health prostate cancer specialist nurse Serena Morley. Photo by Ryan Bellingham

Event organiser Jamie Horkings said the committee was happy with the impressive entertainment, but admitted the event would be popular regardless.

“We could probably have almost anybody up there, and you’re still going to get 320 people turning up,” he said.

The lunch consistently meets its fundraising target of $50,000, and has been capped to 320 spots to ensure it remains sustainable.

Mr Horkings said he was pleased with the day overall, and reiterated its underlying goal of increasing awareness about prostate cancer.

Cary Dixon, Rob Morris and Liam Guiney. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

“That’s what we’re about: making sure that everybody understands what is probably coming their way. One in five of us are going to have this in our life,” he said.

“It’s really good to have that process in place to know that we’re actually benefiting the community.”

The Horizon Committee also contributes to ERH with its Great Postie Bike Adventures, and Mr Horkings acknowledged each member’s positive effect.