The inaugural Baw Baw’s Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ was held in 2012, inspired by West Gippsland locals who had attended similar events in Shepparton and Bairnsdale. The original concept was the brainchild of Chris McPherson AM from Shepparton, who, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, launched the first Blokes BBQ in 2009.
Driven by his passion and extensive community network, Chris helped ignite a movement across rural Victoria, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales. His legacy led to the creation of dozens of regional events and raised close to $3 million for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) by the time of his passing. For his outstanding contribution, Chris was honoured with a PCFA Award.

In Baw Baw, the vision was taken up by a group of eight founding committee members, led by former President Michael Grogan. Rather than adopting traditional fundraising models, the group established Baw Baw Big Blokes Inc. as a fully accredited charity and secured Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Taxation Office. This was a first for any Blokes BBQ committee.

From the outset, the mission was clear: to raise vital funds while keeping a strong focus on the local community. Proceeds from the annual event are distributed both nationally to support the work of the PCFA and locally through programs that promote early detection, improve access to care, and support men's health initiatives across West Gippsland.
Through this unique blend of local impact and national contribution, the Baw Baw Big Blokes BBQ continues to honour Chris McPherson’s legacy. It drives awareness, encourages early testing, and helps reduce the number of lives lost to prostate cancer.

In 12 Years, Baw Baw Big Blokes have raised over:
 

$1,900,000

​

The money raised will be used to support initiatives focusing on men's health in the West Gippsland region and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.