It wasn’t just lunch, it was a movement.
More than 1200 blokes — and a few women — packed Shepparton Showgrounds’ multipurpose pavilion on Friday, August 29, for the 2025 Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, proving the event is far more than a meal.
The record-breaking crowd came together with one purpose: to raise vital funds for prostate and bowel cancer research, awareness and local specialist nursing support.
“Shepparton is 41 per cent up on the national prostate testing figures, and that all ties back to the lunch and the fundraising that’s been done here,” event chairperson Travis Ryan said.
The event began in 2009 when Shepparton local Chris McPherson, after learning he had prostate cancer, created the very first Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch.
His mission was simple: encourage blokes to take responsibility for their health and get tested.
Mr McPherson passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on.
Today, lunches are held in 14 locations across Australia and have raised more than $3.5 million for prostate cancer research and regional nurses — making it the largest community-based fundraiser for prostate cancer in the country.
“No-one talked about prostate cancer before Chris McPherson,” prostate cancer specialist nurse Sonia Strachan said.
“The awareness the lunch has created is such a testament to him. Chris would be so proud of the work we’ve done — but there’s still so much more to be done.”
One of the most powerful moments of the day came during the panel discussion, when local patients spoke candidly about their journeys.
“It’s a real human side — having patients speak on the panel just shows it can happen to anyone,” Ms Strachan said.
“Their ability to face that vulnerability and raise awareness is huge. It’s so important to put these conversations on the table — we are getting better and better at doing that as a community.”
She emphasised that the funds raised stayed in the Goulburn Valley.
“The lunch profit goes directly to the continuation of funding nurses for prostate and bowel cancer. Every bit of that money stays local, which is crucial to supporting the whole GV catchment,” she said.
And while the services in the region are strong, she said one thing was still missing.
“Shepparton does not have a single, fully integrated cancer centre,” she said.
“We have incredible services, but to get a fully integrated centre to complement them would be the icing on the cake. Then we could treat people here locally.”
Behind the scenes, the event relied on months of preparation and thousands of volunteer hours.
Rotary clubs from Shepparton, Shepparton South, Shepparton Central, Mooroopna, Tatura and Kyabram worked together to make it happen, with 60 volunteers running four kitchens and two bars.
More than 500kg of meat was smoked on 12 Barbeques Galore and Traeger barbecues, creating a feast that matched the scale of the occasion.
“It’s living up to its name — it was the biggest one we’ve ever had with 1200 people in attendance,” Mr Ryan said.
“It’s a terrific community event and looks like a pretty successful day so far.”
For Shepparton South Rotary member David Earle, the pride came from teamwork.
“We were there pretty much all Wednesday, Thursday, Friday — over 1000 volunteer hours. That’s the beauty of having volunteers. We’re doing it for a good cause,” he said.
More than 26,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year — that’s 72 men every day.
Thanks to events such as the Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch, more of those men are getting tested earlier, treated locally and supported through their journeys.