RAISING awareness and funds for prostate cancer is the focus of a Men’s Health Fundraising Auction being held at the Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange (HRLX) tomorrow, with all proceeds going to The Male Bag Foundation.

Prostate cancer is a topic not often discussed in everyday life, however, coming off the back of World Cancer Day last Saturday, and with it being the most common cancer in Australia for men (apart from common skin cancer), it is a necessary conversation to have.

Athlone South Angus breeder, Roland Cameron, said it was important to increase awareness locally, with the topic being particularly close to him after his own diagnosis in 2019.

“This is a free event for any men and women to come along and help spread the message of keeping - in this instance - our men safe,” he said.

“Our whole reason for this is to raise awareness and bring to the forefront the fact that men need to look after their health.

“For that we ask that if they’re above 50 or if they have a history in their family of prostate issues, to bring it up with their medical practitioner.

“I think my take on this is early detection can give the best chance of a positive outcome.”

The Male Bag Foundation raises funds to enable the purchase of Transperineal Biopsy Machines - which greatly improve the lives of men dealing with prostate related issues - for placement in Public Rural Regional Hospitals.

Members of the public can attend the event from 11am tomorrow at the old selling arena of HRLX, where they will have the opportunity to meet AFL/VFL Premiership coach, David (Parko) Parkin OAM, and North Melbourne Kangaroos past player and past Hawthorn coach, Donald McDonald, who attended Monivae College in the 70s.

Mr Parkin is the official patron for The Male Bag Foundation and a prostate cancer survivor, after he underwent treatment in 2009.

Mr Cameron said Mr Parkin supported him through his treatment journey with the two remaining in contact.

“I think he’s an inspirational man who has a very incredible message for men to listen to,” he said.

Mr Parkin said he was looking forward to attending the auction tomorrow and was thankful for the work Mr Cameron had put into organising the auction.

“Roland is a prostate cancer survivor and I was able to get to know him and support him through the testing and recovery phase, and as a consequence of being supported, he’s in turn offered to support us and our work,” he said.

“It’s been a terrific relationship and we’ve never done anything like this before but it’s novel and a very creative idea to help us get the dollars we need to help us finish our work.”

Some items up for auction include two two-year-old PTIC Angus heifers in calf to Lawson Sire Q369, bred by Athlone South, Penshurst, and donated by Mr Cameron, two rising two-year-old Angus heifers from Bobby & Georgina Mann, as well as 25 Boonaroo Genius Q63 straws from Shane & Jodie Foster.

The cattle and semen packages will be auctioned at 12pm, while all other items donated will be sold from 11.45am onwards in the old selling arena.

Some recent additions to the auction list are a jacket by Hamilton Farm Supplies, two medallion club tickets to a Kangaroos home game donated by Donald McDonald, and a signed football.

Mr Parkin said The Male Bag Foundation was raising money to go towards getting another Transperineal Biopsy Machine which can cost between $300,000 - $500,000 depending on the model.

“We’re hoping we would be able to have a fun day and raise some much-needed money,” he said.

“More men are probably going to die in the next 12 months from prostate cancer than women with breast cancer.

“There’s public interest in raising awareness and reaching more people.”

Mr Parkin said it was important to spread health messages about prostate cancer to men in rural communities, such as Hamilton, as research has shown they are less likely to take action when it comes to their health.

“Men full stop are hopeless - we don’t do it until it’s too late,” he said.

“Regional Australian men are less aware and less likely to do the checks and know their family history.

“This work we’re doing has been really great for rural regional Australia where the degree of the problem is more so than in metropolitan areas.”

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia recommends that all men over 50-years-old, or 40 for those with a family history of prostate cancer, should talk to their doctor about testing options as part of their regular health check-up.

Mr Cameron expressed his thanks for the support from local businesses and donors, the Southern Grampians Shire Council, HRLX, Western District Health Service chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald, and the Hamilton Stock Agents’ Association.

Anyone interested in participating in the auction can do so in-person or online through AuctionsPlus.

Donations can also be made online at themalebagfoundation.org.au