FUNDS RAISED IN 2019
During the 2019 Baw Baw Big Blokes BBQ event, we were able to raise an amazing...
$192,000
making an accumulative total of
$1,300,000
The money raised will be used primarily to assist with more equipment and facilities for prostate cancer nurses working from the West Gippsland and Latrobe Region hospitals and also to assist the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
THE START OF THE BAW BAW BIG BLOKES
The seed was planted when a few local West Gippsland blokes enjoyed a great day at the Bairnsdale and Shepparton Biggest Ever Blokes BBQs. The idea for an inaugural 'Baw Baw's Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ' event was born in early 2012 with a simple but important aim - prostate cancer awareness.
The Big Blokes BBQ original idea came from Chris McPherson of Shepparton, who has now conducted four events that have been attended by over 2,500 men, many repeat attendees, and have raised over $500,000. Since this time several other rural centres have now held events in Bendigo, Echuca, Ballarat, Bairnsdale with others planned for Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland. Chris was this year awarded Life Membership of the Prostate Cancer Foundation for his significant contribution in helping the foundation reach its objectives.
Baw Baw Big Blokes Inc. was started by eight committee members, headed by President Michael Grogan. Rather than go down traditional pathways it was decided that for the local community to embrace the event we needed to achieve full charity accreditation with objectives of actually using funds raised in Baw Baw for the people of Baw Baw.
Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest and easiest. As such Baw Baw Big Blokes is the first of these organisations to achieve full Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) Status with the Australian Taxation Office. Through its fundraising event, Baw Baw's Biggest Ever Blokes BBQ, aims to raise awareness to the risks associated with prostate cancer and generate much needed funds to help reduce the number of deaths from the disease. The funds raised are distributed locally to benefit the West Gippsland community and nationally to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Baw Baw Big Blokes Inc. through its annual BBQ, aims to increase prostate cancer awareness and will direct funds to the most effective channels to encourage more men to get tested from an earlier age and ultimately reduce the numbers dying from prostate cancer in our Shire.