Bendigo Community Health Services will shine the light on men’s health from August 25 to September 4 with our first Men’s Health Marathon.
That’s 11 days of activities designed to get men out, active and thinking seriously about their health will carry the theme 'Make men's health your business ... before it's too late'.
BCHS believes strongly in education and prevention – giving people information to empower them to make life changing choices about their health and lifestyle.
The Ys Mens of Bendigo, RACV Bendigo Shop and four Rotary clubs in Bendigo have all signed on as major sponsors of the Men's Health Marathon.
So, why do we need a focus on men’s health?
In the next hour four men will die in Australia from potentially preventable health conditions.
We know too many men are poor at monitoring their own health and terrible at asking for help when in trouble.
BCHS will partner with local organisations to offer an event each day to raise awareness of men’s health or get men out and active.
Program of events…
Thursday, August 25
Live web forum – Making Men’s Health Your Business
What: Bendigo Community Health Services men’s health male nurse practitioner Peter Strange to answer questions and promote importance of men’s health via live website blog.
Where: Bendigo Community Health Services website at www.bchs.com.au
Time: 10am-11am
Friday, August 26
Make Men’s Health Your Business workshop
What: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to host business men’s health workshop on behalf of Bendigo Business Council and Bendigo Community Health Services.
Bendigo Community Health Services staff to address workshop on men’s health and importance of raising awareness about the issues.
Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce and Shape Up Health and Fitness owner Amy Holmes to talk about lessons learned during 10-week Men’s Health Challenge featuring Mr Pearce, Girton Grammar principal Matthew Maruff and La Trobe University lecturer Kirk Peterson.
Where: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Charring Cross, Bendigo.
Time: 1pm to 2pm.
Saturday, August 27
Multi-cultural soccer tournament
What: Growing from three to 20 teams in three years – Karen, Afghan, Sudanese and Bendigo community organisation teams vie for glory in our ever-growing multi-cultural soccer tournament.
This year we are proud to announce A League powerhouse Melbourne City will join the fun by hosting clinics for players and children during the tournament.
We’re proud that the City of Greater Bendigo, Victoria Police, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Axe Creek and United cricket clubs, headspace Bendigo, Bendigo Fire Brigade and Bendigo and District Aboriginal Corporation will all field teams in the event.
Where: Eaglehawk Soccer Club, Truscott Reserve, Eaglehawk.
Time: 9am to 3.30pm.
Sunday, August 28
Bendigo Turns Blue for men’s health
What: Bendigo icons including the old post office/tourist information centre and RSL hall in Pall Mall, Alexandra Fountain and Mr Beebe's restaurant in Charring Cross, the poppet head at Central Deborah Gold Mine, the bell tower at St Pauls Cathedral and MacDonalds Nursery in Retreat Road will be illuminated blue to raise awareness of men’s health.
The Bendigo Turns Blue campaign is being driven by the Prostate Foundation of Bendigo group.
Take a ‘selfie’ with one of the blue icons, send it to us and you could win a $300 voucher
Bendigo Community Health Services will be printing special Men’s Health Marathon ‘make men’s health your business’ posters and balloons for businesses across the city to display during the 11 days to build on the blue awareness campaign. To get a men’s health awareness pack for your business please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today.
BCHS will also produce special ‘size does matter’ posters for men’s toilets in Bendigo hotels as a unique way to raise awareness. To get a men’s health awareness pack for your hotel, restaurant or cafe please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today.
Where: Bendigo central business district and surrounds.
When: August 25 to September 4. City icons to turn blue from Sunday, August 27. Time for lights going on still to be confirmed.
Monday, August 29
The State of Our Trustees
Bendigo Community Health Services men’s health nurse practitioner Peter Strange will be working with State Trustees to provide health checks for clients.
Tuesday, August 30
Men’s Boat Challenge
The Bendigo Model Yacht Club shows some America’s Cup spirit as they pit their skills with model boats at the rowing club end of Lake Weeroona.
Time: 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Wednesday, August 31
Men in sheds open day
See first-hand why the men in sheds program is so important in keeping men active and healthy as one of Bendigo's biggest men’s sheds throws open its doors for an open day.
Where: Salvation Army complex, 65-71 Mundy Street, Bendigo.
Time: 8.15am to 3pm.
Wednesday, August 31
Current controversies in prostate cancer and andrology.
Murray Primary Health Network will host an evening for Bendigo GPs with guest speaker Stephen Lindsay from Bendigo Urology providing an update on the latest issues and controversies in prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.
Where: Murray PHN, Rowan Street, Bendigo.
Time: 7pm to 9pm. Registration 6.30pm.
Thursday, September 1
Bendigo Harness Racing Club to host a Men’s Health Awareness meeting at Lord’s Raceway
What: Peter Strange will give the crowd a men’s health talk, harness racing participants will talk of their recovery and BCHS staff will provide health information for trainers, drivers, owners and the patrons. Races will be given a men’s health theme name. One driver in each race will wear special blue Men’s Health Marathon pants. We are trying to secure a sponsor who might donate money to our Men’s Health Clinic each time the pants win, finish second or third in the race. With races broadcast across Australia through Foxtel and radio networks, this event has the potential to generate national awareness for both the men’s health message and Men’s Health Marathon major partner.
Where: Lord’s Raceway, McIvor Highway, Bendigo.
Time: 6pm onwards.
Friday, September 2
Headspace Bendigo youth event at Crusoe College
headspace Bendigo to host a men’s health awareness event with a youth focus at Crusoe College.
Saturday, September 3
Spring Up! St Pauls Cathedral men’s health brunch
What: St Pauls Cathedral will host a brunch to raise awareness of men’s health. The brunch will include a talk from BCHS men’s health nurse practitioner Peter Strange and acoustic music from Gordon Lingard. Men and women welcome.
Where: St Paul’s Cathedral, Myers Street, Bendigo.
Time: 11am.
Sunday, September 4 (Father’s Day)
Run For Dad at Bendigo Racecourse
What: Hundreds of children and adults tackle a 3.75km or 7km walk/run course – get out, get active! Our men’s health nurse Peter Strange and Athletics Bendigo members are visiting schools to encourage students to go home and challenge their dad/brother/grandfather to take part in the Run For Dad.
To register for the Run For Dad click here
The event has a super hero theme – dress up and have some fun! You could win great prizes!
All participants will get a medal and free breakfast.
When: 10am start.
Where: Bendigo Racecourse.
OTHER EVENTS
Principals and university lecturer take men’s health challenge
Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce, Girton Grammar principal Matthew Maruff and La Trobe University Bendigo lecturer Kirk Peterson are taking a 10 week Men’s Health Challenge with Shape Health and Fitness owner Amy Holmes.
CAN YOU HELP?
If you can support the Men’s Health Marathon or have an idea, please contact…
Rod Case
Director of Media and Communications
Bendigo Community Health Services
(03) 5448 1629
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.