The Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch (BEBL) started in Shepparton in 2009 after newspaper chief Chris McPherson discovered he had incurable prostate cancer.
Chris wanted to raise awareness of prostate cancer, encourage men to get tested and fundraise for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Following the success of the first Shepparton lunch, Chris encouraged Bendigo Publishing chairman Keith Sutherland to replicate the event in Bendigo in 2010.
A small committee organised the first lunch in Bendigo and 12 lunches later – two lunches were cancelled due to COVID – the events in Bendigo and across the country are thriving.
The Bendigo lunch is one 14 held across Australia, collectively raising more than $3.5 million for prostate cancer research and regional prostate cancer nurses.
While awareness of the disease has grown, so too have prostate cancer rates in the Loddon Mallee region and Australia.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian men, with 26,368 Australian diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024.
Locally, Bendigo Health treats 422 prostate cancer patients each year, making it the third highest incidence of cancer seen at Bendigo Health’s Cancer Centre.
Awareness brings early detection which improves survival rates for people suffering from prostate cancer.
The Bendigo Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch committee is committed to growing the event, improving community awareness of the disease and funding prostate cancer care in Bendigo.
About us
Vale Neil Macdonald
Harold Neil Macdonald’s name is synonymous with the Bendigo Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch.
Neil or ‘Macca’ was involved in the lunch since its inception, organising catering and set-up of the event for a number of years before taking over as Chair of the Bendigo Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch committee in 2019.
Neil worked tirelessly and was involved in every aspect of the event. He played an instrumental role in developing the lunch into what it is today. He organised auction items, sponsorship, and promoted the event.
Neil was an expert marketer, famously running down the Hargreaves Mall in a pair of blue jocks and painting himself blue to promote lunches over the years.
Neil sold tickets and at every event he spoke with passion and purpose.
He was a dedicated member of the Prostate Cancer Support group after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008, leading the group for eight years before stepping down in late 2024.
Neil sadly passed away on Monday 21st April 2025 at 81 years after a short battle.
The committee and the broader Bendigo Blokes Lunch community extend our heartfelt condolences to Neil’s wife Gaye, his three daughters Michelle, Annette and Carla and all of their extended family on their loss.
It has been a privilege Neil, you have led us, taught us and have shown us all the how to be better people. You have made the world a better place and we will all miss you, old mate.
