The biggest and most special barbecue

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

THE Latrobe Valley Big Blokes BBQ for 2024 took place last Friday at the renovated Kernot Hall in Morwell.

The fundraiser attracted another large crowd, welcoming men from across the region for another festive day to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).

More than $100,000 was raised.

This year’s barbecue was particularly poignant, held in tribute to the late Bruce Ellen.

Mr Ellen has put a lot of effort into previous barbecues, serving as Chairman of the Latrobe Valley Big Blokes BBQ Committee for many years.

Mr Ellen, who was also general manager of the Latrobe Valley Express, died in March after his own battle with prostate cancer.

His legacy was commemorated last Friday, with a photo tribute highlighted on stage and the barbecue committee all wearing black armbands as a sign of respect.

Current committee chairman Ian Nethercote and committee member Barry Whitehead led the tributes, while Bruce’s brother Tim and son Nick were welcomed on stage and given a tribute to the late committee leader.

The event welcomed former Collingwood players Dane Swan and Dale Thomas, as well as Norm Smith Medalist David Rhys-Jones as guest speakers, while comedian Tom Siegert brought laughs as MC.

Accompanying the indelible food, entertainment from special guest speakers separated auctions, raffles and activities for cash and prize tables throughout the day.

The Churchill Lions Club was also on deck, providing additional support and cleaning throughout the day.

One in seven Australian men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, while in the Gippsland and Latrobe region the death rate is 30 per cent higher than in other parts of Victoria.

Alongside the PCFA, a small committee of volunteers, some of whom have been personally affected by the disease, plan and host Big Blokes barbecues across the state.

The Latrobe Valley Committee has funded a number of services including research projects through the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University, local awareness campaigns , research projects and financial assistance to facilitate the purchase of specialized equipment in local hospitals.

Since its inception in 2013, Latrobe Valley Big Bloke’s BBQ has surpassed the $1 million total, reaching that milestone this weekend.