When 200 people attended the first It’s A Blokes Lunch in Wollongong last November it was clear the event focusing attention on men’s health should become an annual event.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So Josh Tree, of Better You Health Group, and others involved have started the wheels in motion for another health focused lunch in early November at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.
It will promote men’s health and encourage men to get a check up and talk to other men about their health.
It’s A Blokes Lunch has partnered with Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia and mental health charity Livin this year.
“The CEO of Livin is Sam Web who was on the first season of Australian Survivor and he is attending,” Mr Tree said.
Tickets go on sale at the start of Men’s Health Week on Monday at www.itsablokeslunch.com.
Mr Tree is keen to hear from any businesses and community partners interested in supporting the event on November 2. In 2018 guest panelists included former Bachelor and Ninja Warrior Australia competitor Tim Robards and Special Forces commando and Australian Ninja Warrior Scott Evennett.
This year’s line up is similarly impressive. Information will be updated regularly on the It’s A Blokes Lunch Facebook page and website.
Funds raised will support various men’s health organisations, health services and programs such as Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia and Livin.
“There are three key programs we will be releasing this year,” Mr Tree said.
“The first is a men’s health and lifestyle program called The Bloke Challenge”.
“The second initiative involves us launching a prostate cancer support group in the Illawarra affiliated with Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia. With that we will be launching the first of its kind prostate cancer survivors exercise rehab program”.
“The other project we are launching is a men’s wellness program. It is aimed at helping men who are diagnosed with depression and anxiety.”
Exercise is going to be an important part of that initiative along with psychology.
The lunch will continue the conversation about men’s health and cover everything from cancer to mental health to preventative health.
It will feature two keynote speakers and a celebrity blokes panel.
- Read more: Entrepreneur Joshua Tree’s health day plan
Mr Tree said statistics from the Intergenerational Report in 2015 showed increases in the rate of mental health and prostate cancer.
“The prostate cancer numbers have risen to the point where they are on parity with breast cancer but has less funding and fewer services,” he said.
Mr Tree said in the future those behind the annual lunch wanted to launch an initiative around testisticular cancer.
“It is the most common form of cancer for men under 40 but there is not even a foundation for it,” he said.
- Read more: Interest sought in free men’s health day.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Australian men die six years earlier than women.
- One in two men will experience mental health in their lifetime.
- One in eight men will experience depression in their lifetime.
- Six out of eight suicides in Australia are men
- One in five men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- 1.7 million men will be living with prostate cancer by 2030.
- Testicular cancer strikes early in Australia men.
- Seven in 10 Australian men are living with a chronic health condition
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
