-ABOUT US-
Biggest Ever Blokes’ Lunch aims to raise funds and increase awareness of prostate cancer to reduce the impact on Australian men, their partners and families.
Prostate Cancer in Australia
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian men.
- 26,368 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024.
- 3,901 Australian men will die from prostate cancer in 2024.
- Around 72 Australian men are diagnosed each day with prostate cancer, and more than 11 Australian men will die each day from the disease.
- 250,958 Australian men are alive today after a diagnosis of prostate cancer between 1982 and 2018.
- Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a 95.8% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.
- Between 1982 and 2018, five-year relative survival for prostate cancer improved from 58% to 95.8%.
The lunches started in Shepparton in 2009 after one bloke, the late Chris McPherson AM, found out he had incurable prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and Chris wanted to persuade other blokes to take responsibility for their health and get checked. Since its inception in 2009, a total of 39,000 people have attended lunches and more than $5.4million has been raised for PCFA.
This year’s lunch will be held on Friday 5th September 2025 at the Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre, attended by 450-500 men at each event and include updates from Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, highly entertaining guest speakers, raffles, auctions and other fundraising activities.
The event supports Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
and local charities in Ballarat with a particular focus on men’s health.
KNOW
THE
FACTS
- There are 1,392 men in the region who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- An estimated 132 men in the region will be newly diagnosed this year.
- Men in the Ballarat region have a 12% lower risk of diagnosis compared to the population average.
- Men in the Ballarat region have a 44% increased risk of death compared to the population average.
- Only 15% of men in the Ballarat region are diagnosed at Stage 1, when the prospects for survival are the strongest.
the 2025 speaker line up!
Coming Soon!
-SPEAKERS-
DR. DAVID CRAIG
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
You may recognise him as the Chief Hunter on Network 10’s ‘Hunted Australia’, but Dr. David Craig’s story had humble beginnings. From small-town farm boy to international undercover expert, to celebrated author and TV personality.
David’s unconventional path growing up took him from the depths of a coal mine to the pinnacle of professional motorcycle racing, where he clinched numerous championships, claiming a world land speed record in the process.
However, it was his 22-year tenure with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that truly showcased his leadership abilities. Having uncovered a staggering $223 million worth of narcotics that had eluded the AFP’s detection, David was exiled to the New South Wales Police Corruption Royal Commission.
Mick Neven
With 20 years on the Australian Comedy Circuit under his belt, Mick is a regular at Comedy Clubs around Australia, as well as Asia, Canada and the UK. He’s intelligent, hilarious and always good-natured, his performances are delivered with high-energy and a never-ending stream of punchlines that continually take his jokes to the next level.
ROB EDWARDS
With degrees in anatomy and physiology Rob worked for five years in cardiac rehabilitation where he wrote the successful book “Better Blood Pressure”. As a leader for 25 years in the well-being industry, he works with people at all levels of business, cardiac patients, elite athletes, remote island communities and women’s groups.
