GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER
Announces 2018 Charity Partner
PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION OF AUSTRALIA
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An event long-held by the community, for the community, the Gympie Music Muster has helped generate more than $15 million in donations to charity and community groups since its inception in 1982.
This year, the Muster will be raising money for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – a charity dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, by funding research, raising awareness and providing support to sufferers and their loved ones. The Muster will also host its very own Biggest Ever Bloke’s Lunch, a ticketed event featuring special guests John Williamson, and guitar legend Tim Gaze, to raise money and awareness for the charity.
The Muster’s Biggest Ever Bloke’s Lunch will be held on Muster Friday (August 24) in celebration of the charity partnership, and will include a two-course sit down meal, guest speeches from John Williamson and Tim Gaze (who will also be performing), and an auction, with all proceeds going direct to PCFA. Tickets are $55, and are available for pre-purchase at www.muster.com.au.
Muster Chair Greg Cavanagh said the choice of this year’s charity partner was driven by the disproportionate impact prostate cancer has in rural and regional areas.
“One in five men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85, and statistics tell us the survival rate for those living in regional areas is 21% lower than anywhere else. PCFA’s work is critical in reducing that impact, and we’re proud to host an event that connects the Muster community to open and honest conversation on the subject.”
The foundation’s work is crucial in reducing death rates as a result of prostate cancer, which at present are staggering:
9 men die of prostate cancer every single day
20,000 Aussie men a year receive a new diagnosis
It is estimated that there are 200,000 men currently living with prostate cancer in Australia
1 in 5 men will be diagnosed by the age of 85
Men diagnosed in regional or rural areas have a 21% less chance of surviving prostate cancer
More men die of prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer
Malcolm Freame, Chief Operating Officer of PCFA, is excited to be part of a major national event and looks forward to using this platform to generate awareness and fundraising.
“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia men. It is time for men in rural areas to take the issue more seriously. It is also important to understand that in the early stages of prostate cancer, when it can be treated and cured, there are often no symptoms. PCFA recommends that men over the age of 50, or over the age of 40 if they have a family history of prostate cancer, speak to their doctor about being tested for prostate cancer at their next health check… Awareness is just so important – a large part of the reason that country men are doing worse with prostate cancer is that they are presenting to doctors with later, less-treatable cases. So, this is very much about influencing attitudes.”
The Foundation holds a special place in the heart of the Muster family, as performer Tim Gaze has been affected by the disease himself and credits Angry Anderson for virtually ‘saving his life’ (https://www.mandate.org.au/tim-gaze). Tim has enjoyed a long career as one of Australia’s pre-eminent guitar players and vocalists, and through the years has been an influential member of several highly regarded Australian bands – Jimmy Barnes, Rose Tattoo, Tamam Shud, Kahvas Jute, Ariel and The Hoochie Coochie Men. A valued part of the Muster line-up over many years, Tim is a fixture at the festival’s Guitar Jam, which brings together some of Australia’s best guitarists to collaborate and perform together.
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Gaze said, “When the founding member of ‘Rose Tattoo’ and my friend Peter Wells was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005, it was a big wake up call for me, thanks to Angry Anderson being very on board with promoting the fact that this condition could be averted for a lot of men, by simply undertaking a blood test. I had been to see Pete in hospital and was shocked and saddened by his condition after the secondary cancer had spread through his system. Even since my experience with prostate cancer in 2009, diagnosis and treatments have improved radically. The medical procedure I experienced then (radical prostatectomy) required a 4-day stay in hospital, but that stay now has been shortened to one or two days max, and the treatments have become even more precise and less invasive.
My wonderful wife Kath gave birth to my beautiful (and first) son Oliver on 10th Oct, 2009. I was 56 years old. Two and a half months later on Christmas Eve, I was told that I had a serious prostate cancer condition. Besides initially being hurled into a state of shock regarding the seriousness of my condition, and being hit with the word ‘cancer’, I often reflect to that time and give thanks to the doctors that tested me, diagnosed me and advised me through my treatment. If not for their caring and professional actions, I know for a fact that I would not be here now to enjoying seeing my son grow up.
Guys, whatever you do, make sure you take the time to get checked for prostate cancer – just a simple blood test, and your friends and loved ones are those who will benefit from you considering yourself and them in this instance. Getting a timely check up is probably the most important thing you can do for yourself. Statistics prove that even though this disease has historically affected more men in their 50’s and later, it can strike the young as well – to borrow a phrase from my late friend and rock singer / journalist Vince Lovegrove – ‘Fate has no mercy’.
Prostate cancer awareness is one of the most important things we can promote regarding the health and well-being of our loved ones, and I am proud to be able to contribute my support along with many others – many thanks, and see you at the Muster!”
Held in the Amamoor Creek State Forest in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland, two hours north of Brisbane and 40 minutes from Noosa, the Muster is the perfect way to kick back and enjoy some of the country’s best talent. An unmissable and uniquely Australian event, one ticket price gives Muster goers free camping and multi-venue access to all performances, to experience everything Australia’s biggest country music celebration has to offer.
Run by the community, for the community, the Muster is a not-for-profit charity event which has raised in excess of $15 Million for charities Australia wide since its inception. It also gives a multi-million dollar boost to Queensland’s tourism sector every year, providing an economic boom for the region.
This year’s line-up features:
LEE KERNAGHAN
TROY CASSAR-DALEY – JOHN WILLIAMSON – IAN MOSS – BECCY COLE
SARA STORER – THE WOLFE BROTHERS – SHANE NICHOLSON
THE PIGS – HAT FITZ & CARA – FIONA BOYES – LLOYD SPIEGEL – BLUE EYES CRY
…plus many more still to be announced.
The Gympie Music Muster runs from Thursday August 23 to Sunday August 26, 2018 in the Amamoor Creek State Forest near Gympie.
Tickets are available via www.muster.com.au.
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