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Rob honoured for prostate cancer volunteer work

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Bundaberg resident Rob McCulloch been awarded Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s prestigious annual Max Gardner Award

Bundaberg resident Rob McCulloch been awarded Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s prestigious annual Max Gardner Award for Distinguished Service.

The local man joins three other recipients from across Australia who have together contributed over 71 years of combined voluntary work to helping men and their partners cope with the disease.

John Fullagar of North Shore (NSW), Rob McCulloch of Bundaberg (Qld) and Graham and Adele Staggs of Dural (NSW) have each been presented with an award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to PCFA’s mission.

The annual award is named in memory of the late Max Gardner, who was a passionate advocate for prostate cancer control in Australia, helping to establish PCFA’s nationwide Prostate Cancer Support Group Network.

Rob McCulloch joined the Bundaberg network following his diagnosis and surgery in 2007 and has been its leader since 2009.

He became a Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia ambassador in 2013 and has been integral in the establishment of other support groups in the region, dedicating countless hours to community awareness and peer support over the past 15 years.

“I am very humbled and overwhelmed to receive this award,” Rob said.

“It was something I didn't ever expect to happen to someone like me.”

With the cause being close to his heart, Rob said he was proud to see people becoming more aware of prostate cancer through their ongoing work within the community.

“I am passionate about this cause as it is so important that people become aware of prostate cancer and we continue to get the word out there,” Rob said.

“Having recently spent some time out in the community as part of Men's Health Week, I can start to see that we are getting the message across and people are becoming more aware which is very heartening for us.”

PCFA Chairman, Adjunct A/Prof Steve Callister, commended the award winners.

“My congratulations to John, Rob, and Graham and Adele, for their awards,” he said.

“They are truly remarkable figures in the Australian prostate cancer community, dedicating many hundreds of hours of service to other men and families impacted by the disease and raising awareness to help us defeat it.

“I thank them for their voluntary service and contribution.

“Their tireless advocacy has advanced our work towards a future free of prostate cancer and has changed many lives for the better.”

PCFA CEO Anne Savage thanked the Max Gardner recipients for their leadership.

“Our work is only made possible by the support of people like John, Rob, Graham and Adele, who give of their own time to ensure that men and their partners do not have to walk alone when prostate cancer strikes,” Ms Savage said.

“They play a vital role in providing men and their loved ones with information, comfort, and support, calling on their own personal experiences to make a difference in the lives of others.

“We’re honoured to be a part of a grassroots network of exceptional Australians impacted by prostate cancer who are dedicated to improving survivorship outcomes for all others.”

PCFA has more than 130 Support Groups around Australia, providing vital peer support and outreach to the community.

To find out more, go to www.pcfa.org.au.

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