Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch hailed the greatest yet

By Murray Silby

Oct 15, 2023

**Open and honest:** Emcee Des Dowling with John Ryan, Greg Brooks and Peter Ryan, who shared their experiences with cancer during the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The latest Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch in Shepparton has lived up to its name and been declared the biggest ever as well as successful in its men’s health promotion cause.

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More than 1010 people dined out on funny, heart-wrenching and inspiring stories during the event at MOVE on Friday, October 13.

“Overwhelmed, just everything fell into place,” Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch organising committee chair Shane O’Sullivan said.

“The weather was a bit damp, but it certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of everyone.

“People went crazy with the auction items. We netted almost 120 grand with the auction items alone let alone our sponsorships.

“Ravish Designs had the place looking like Buckingham Palace and Peter Helliar had people in tears of laughter.”

Former NBA basketballer Chris Anstey was a guest speaker, along with comedian Peter Helliar, but the stars of the lunch were the local men living their own prostate or bowel cancer journeys.

They included bowel cancer survivor and Strathmerton dairy farmer Greg Brooks.

Prostate cancer survivors John “JR” Ryan and his brother Peter “Bugs” Ryan spoke about how it has impacted their family with another brother, Tony, also a prostate cancer survivor, and yet another brother, Gavin, monitoring his health. This after their father died from it.

“Those guys being brave enough to get up there and tell their stories gets the message out to other blokes that they have to get on top of these health issues,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“That really is the point of it all.”

Apart from spreading the message to men that they shouldn’t ignore changes in their bodies or their functions and that they should see their doctors for regular check-ups, the lunch is also a fundraiser for services that help men when they are diagnosed with prostate or bowel cancer.

**Most ever:** More than 1000 people attended this year’s Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Money raised from the event funds the employment of specialist prostate and bowel cancer nurses in Shepparton, who help men with their treatments and wouldn’t be available if not for the lunch.

“Just overwhelming,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“It was just a fantastic day for the community. It benefits our nurses and benefits the community with the Rotary Club and MOVE and everything like that.

“I’ve got to give a big shout-out to David Earle and the Rotary guys for what they do.

“They’re old buggers, but they do a fantastic job and just kept everyone with drinks and food all day.”