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Race caller and ABC Radio sports host, Bluey Forsyth, is one of Far North Queensland’s best-dressed men.
But here he is, cap, shoes, binoculars, and a smile, getting his bare backside trackside in support of a good cause.
Bluey joined a group of FNQ men who left their clothes and inhibitions behind in a bold effort to raise $60,000 to fund a support service for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Organiser, Glenda Hardiman, said she was surprised to learn Cairns has lacked a prostate cancer support service for many years.
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“I ran into a friend and her husband on the Esplanade, and he had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“We found out that there’s no support here for men, and hasn’t been for quite a few years, and it’s much needed.
“That’s when I decided we will do a calendar for men.”
Glenda drew on a network of keen supporters and her own experience with a nude calendar 15 years ago to get this project organised and completed in record time.
Most of the photography was done on a bush property near Clifton Beach, but Bluey was snapped at the racetrack, where jockeys rode past with eyebrows raised.
Major sponsor, Sheldon Realty, paid for 2000 copies to be printed. All funds raised through sales, advertising, and donations will stay in Cairns.
“It will fund a support group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer,” Glenda told Tropic.
“That will provide a space for them at COUCH, a private room. They will have professional people, maybe someone from oncology to talk to them.
“The calendar is called She’ll Be Right Mate, because that’s what men do.
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"You can be stage four with prostate cancer, and you have no idea. There are no symptoms.
“All age groups of men need to be made aware of prostate cancer and know that there’s support for them.”
The calendars are available online from COUCH and in person at Preston Seafood Smithfield, BCF Smithfield, Clifton Beach Physiotherapy, Oceans Edge Gym at Palm Cove, and Tropical Collections at Palm Cove.
Glenda encouraged Cairns shops and businesses to support the project by selling the calendars.
“We’ve got all different types of men in the calendar. These guys have all put themselves on the line.
“Support the project and buy a calendar.”
The Cairns Prostate Cancer Support Group will be holding their first meeting at COUCH Wellness on Tuesday 29th November from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Main points
- Nude calendar raising funds for prostate cancer support in FNQ
- Local men got their gear off to support the cause
- Calendar available online via COUCH and in some Cairns shops
