-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.
- 28,868 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. That’s 79 men per day. (almost 6500 in VIC).
- Around 4000 Australian men will die from prostate cancer each year.
- Approximately 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 96% 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 96%.
Forecasts suggest that by 2035, 34,587 Australian men will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, accounting for a 20% increase in incidence numbers over the 10 years from 2025 to 2035.
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 4th September 2026 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.
- 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.
-SPEAKERS-
David Boon
SPEAKER
The legend is landing in Ballarat…
He’s the man, the myth, the moustache. We are bloody stoked to announce our first guest speaker for 2026, the one and only David Boon.
Boony wasn’t just a top-order weapon with 21 Test centuries; he was the heartbeat of the Aussie side for nearly two decades. From his iconic 184* at the SCG to his transition into an ICC Match Referee, he’s a bloke who defines what it means to show up, dig in, and get the job done, without ego or fuss.
He’s a straight-talking Tassie icon who knows exactly what it takes to lead under pressure. You won’t want to miss the stories this man has to tell.
Troy Kinne
MC & Comedian
Our MC for 2026 is…
Troy Kinne is taking care of the mic for us this year.
If you spend any time on social media, you’ll recognise Troy from his sketches that have racked up millions of views online. He’s also had his own shows on Channel 7 and 10, and he’s been touring his live stand-up for years.
Troy will be steering the ship throughout the afternoon and doing a bit of a comedy spot during the day.
Tim Baker
SPEAKER
Tim’s had a hell of a career as a journalist, formerly editing Tracks and Surfing Life magazines and writing for the likes of Rolling Stone and The Financial Review. He’s a two-time Surfing Australia Hall of Fame award winner, so he knows his way around the Aussie surf culture as well as anyone.
For the last ten years, Tim’s been navigating a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, a journey he documented in his book ‘Patting the Shark’. He’s now a research fellow at Monash University, speaking at everything from medical conferences to corporate events about resilience and a different way of looking at health.
Tim’s a top bloke with a massive story to tell. It’ll be great to have him at our 2026 event. Tickets go on sale next week!
-MAJOR SPONSOR-
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
We welcome on board our new Major Sponsor for 2025, Stylerite Windows and Doors, a local business that has been a valued supporter of our lunch for many years. Experienced licensed fabricators of architecturally designed and high performance aluminium window and door systems, check out their brand new showroom located at 21 Trewin Street, Wendouree.
Please support those who support us.
-sponsors-
These amazing Brands and People support us
WHO WE
SUPPORT
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Local Prostate Cancer Support Group
Ballarat Regional Intefrated Cancer Centre
Ballarat Men’s Mental Health
Ballarat Suicide Awareness Network
Mr Perfect
Ballarat 3BA Christmas Appeal
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Raven Collective
Fiona Elsey cancer Research Institute
Ballarat Scout Group
Yuille Park Explorers Program
Walk Off The War Within
The Soup Bus
MND Ballarat
Arms & Armour
