Goulburn’s Big Merino turned blue last month as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
The Big Merino was one of a number of iconic landmarks, including the Opera House and Melbourne Arts Centre, to be bathed in blue in the quest to encourage everyone to support the work of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Farmoz joined forces with the PCFA and the Goulburn Mulwaree Council to host a barbecue at the Big Merino highlighting the impact of the disease in regional Australia.
Mayor of Goulburn Carol James welcomed official guests to the barbecue, including Federal Minister for Hume, Alby Schultz, local officials and Farmoz staff, Adam Phelan, Nigel Browne and Kristel Burgemeister.
Farmoz regional staff also took up the challenge to help the PCFA’s awareness and fundraising drive, working with resellers to host barbecues for farmers across the country during September.
Funds raised at the barbecues will help the PCFA continue to fund important Australian research into the cause, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
Andrew Giles, Chief Executive of the PCFA, said September was the perfect time to host a barbecue in Australia.
“September is International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and it also means Father’s Day, football finals and end of season sports club gatherings,” he said.
“Prostate cancer might be a male-only disease, but its effects are far reaching for wives and partners, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, grandchildren and friends.”
Adam Phelan, Farmoz General Manager – Marketing, said the company was proud to partner the PCFA in this latest campaign.
“We are committed to helping the PCFA with its work in research, advocacy and awareness of a disease that affects thousands of Australian men, including our staff, customers and loved ones,” he said.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that in 2010 alone, almost 20,000 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 3,300 Australian men will lose their life to this disease.
However, it is estimated that men in rural and regional Australia have a 21% higher prostate cancer mortality rate than men in capital cities.
For more information about prostate cancer, speak with your doctor, visit www.prostate.org.au, or free call 1800 22 00 99.
