Up to 500 men are expected to pack the Bendigo Stadium next Friday for the tenth anniversary, Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch fundraiser.
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Raising money for prostate cancer research and support services since 2010, the event has drawn more than 3800 men and raised approximately $700,000.
This year's guest speakers include Carlton Football Club great and now commentator Mark Maclure, and St Kilda premiership star Barry Breen.
Founded by a small committee led by former real estate agent and Bendigo Publishing chairman Keith Sutherland back in 2010, the event remains one of the most important fundraising events on the local calendar.
Mr Sutherland yesterday said the important message each year had been for men to have regular prostate cancer checks and to pass this onto their mates, which has helped to save lives.
"The event came about by the late Chris McPherson asking if I would run such an event in Bendigo as he started the year earlier in Shepparton which had proved to be very successful.
"Sadly Chris later passed away from the effects of prostate cancer."
The inaugural Blokes Lunch was held in the Bendigo Town Hall starting off with a barbecue lunch in the adjoining Civic Gardens.
Later, Mr McPherson spoke about his prostate cancer journey, while the entertainment was the popular Geg Champion from the Coodabeens.
"Because the event was so well attended we had to find a bigger venue so we moved to the larger YMCA hall which catered for over 400 men to attend.
One of the reasons the event was so successful was the community support we received not only from the many sponsors but from The Bendigo Weekly newspaper, who also promoted it and gave valuable back end support," Mr Sutherland said.
"My role as chairman and organiser would not have been possible without a fantastic group of volunteers and back up team led by Neil Macdonald who took over from me.
"Each year we had many helpers from Service clubs, staff from the local real estate industry and many others who gave their time freely to help on the day.
"I was very proud to be involved in this most worthwhile and important event and to have the support of the community was very humbling and rewarding. To think that getting the important message of prostate cancer checks out we know helped save men's lives which made it most satisfying."
This year's auction items include advertising packages, a tram hire package, exclusive concert tickets to performers such as Elton John, a one of a kind Ferrari experience, a race day package, ride on mower, and tickets to Game Day.
Tickets from Ticketek or Bendigo Stadium.