Team Doug: Doug, front left, and the Blue Team from Trundle’s AGnVET in a water trough that was donated by Bushmans Tanks.
Trundle’s Testicle Festival was the brainchild of customer service officers at Trundle’s AGnVET, Sharon MacDonald and Paula Wright, when one of their close co-workers, Doug, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2018.
“We asked if we could do anything? And although he said that he was fine, we decided to create a fundraiser to help raise awareness. The girls in our town host a very successful pink night to raise funds for women’s cancers, so we decided to do a blue night for the fellas, and with awareness as our moto, we started the Trundle Testicle Festival to give Prostate Cancer the finger,” said Sharon.
It’s not a well known fact, but more men die of prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer, so raising awareness hopefully is key to getting men diagnosed early.
“Our town is quite proactive in getting behind a worthwhile cause. As soon as you ask for something, people get back to you and say, ‘How can I help?’. Everyone gets involved. The footy team choreographed a Full Monty for us one year, and it was on the night before the grand final.
“The blue night was popular, but with COVID, we decided to do something else, and Paula, one of the organisers, said we should play cricket on Boxing Day! “We named it the Trundle Testicle Festival to get men talking about their health and encourage people to get their PSA checked,” said Sharon.
“We host a BBQ, everyone enjoys a beer, and it’s just a lovely way to get together and raise awareness for a really important cause,” she added.
Sharon said it was eye-opening to find out how many people were impacted by prostate cancer in the region. “People don’t like to talk about prostate cancer, unfortunately.
We sadly lost Doug in 2022 at the age of 67.”
“His son was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he wasn’t even 40. He’s had treatment, and he’s good now, but it just goes to show how much prostate cancer impacts our lives.”
“Over the years, we’ve raised thousands of dollars for PFCA. It’s an important organisation for men and their families who need support,” Sharon concluded.
To get involved, contact the Trundle Testicle Festival’s Facebook Page or email trundletesticlefestival@gmail.com
Have you got the balls to help?
We are seeking donations of items suitable to raffle and auction for our fundraiser. We would love donations of any blue items, bloke items, boy items, any items. Donations of any type are welcome, goods, services, time, or talent.
In Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and more than 3,700 men dying of prostate cancer in Australia every year. To quote Doug: it doesn’t matter how “groovy cool gas far out solid and right on chickie babe” you might be, please get checked. Know your PSA. It’s no poke!
Just a few of the awesome teams who played in the 2024 Testy Festy Boxing Day match
Resting up after securing the runners-up spot was ‘Blind Leading the Blind’.
Shout out to the boys in blue from the ‘Yarrabandai Yacht Club’.
Extremely well coordinated on the day with their outfits were ‘The Wrong’uns’.
Congratulations to ‘The Wicket Warriors’ on their win in the grand final against ‘Blind Leading the Blind’.