Tradie calendar raises awareness of prostate cancer
Brisbane tradies ranging in age from 26 to 72 have bared almost all for a calendar to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A GROUP of Brisbane tradies has bared almost all for a calendar to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
The tradies, ranging in age from 26 to 72, are all linked through a long-term relationship with a Sandgate real estate agency.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the cause is personal for Professionals Sandgate principal Darren Patrick as his father Stuart died of prostate cancer in 2012.
“Prostate cancer has affected a number of families both within our office and the tradies as well, so this is a cause close to our hearts,” Mr Patrick said.
“All the tradies were sourced through our real estate business. They have all either worked with us or around us for years.”
Mr Patrick and son Taylor both appear in the calendar, which was shot around his mum’s home at Sandgate. His mum Colleen is also one of the major sponsors of the calendar.
“Prostate cancer affects the average person and we are, no kidding, average,” Mr Patrick said.
Electrician Richard Pagano said he immediately said yes when asked if he would be involved.
“My father has just recently gone into remission for prostate cancer,” Mr Pagano said.
“A couple years ago he knew something was up and felt his body wasn’t right. They tested him and found his PSA was quite high but it wasn’t at a stage where it was an issue.
“They’ve been tracking it for three years. They took out his prostate and he’s all good now.”
SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: SIGN UP FOR 12 MONTHS AND RECEIVE A SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A 8.0 (MIN COST $390)
Airconditioning technician Dave Stanley said the calendar was “very much out of my comfort zone”.
“I don’t like photos full stop. I even grew a beard for the photo shoot so I felt a bit more comfortable.
“But it’s a good cause.”
The photo shoot was done by Todd Faulkner from Real Images Photography, who is more comfortable snapping facades than faces.
“I normally stick to houses, they don’t talk back, don’t cry and they certainly don’t move. But these blokes were great.
“Everyone had an upbeat attitude towards it and they were actually pretty keen to get their kit off. Well, most of them.
MORE NORTH BRISBANE NEWS:
Bald Hills man gets half cut to save rainforest
Shorncliffe artist’s winning portrait portrays ‘darker emotions’
Moreton Bay Regional Council to buy Club Arana to make a community space
National park turned into a toilet after closure of picnic area at Mt Glorious
“Usually people are really self conscious when it comes to getting their picture taken but all the tradies were great to work with.
“I think it was really the fact that the shoot was about getting awareness out there for prostate cancer. A lot of us in the group have had some form of impact from prostate cancer even though it’s not talked about much.
“Having these blokes just show a little vulnerability through taking a bit of kit off will hopefully encourage men to go see their GP and get a check up.”
Mr Patrick said he’d been handing out posters for the calendar launch and was amazed at the number of men who didn’t realise there was a PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer.
“Even our oldest tradie (model) was a bit reserved at first. He is in his 70s and was never aware he could get a blood test.”
Calendars (cost $10) are available from Professionals Sandgate, 73 Brighton Rd, with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Mr Patrick said, if successful, they might consider doing another calendar next year, perhaps “Businesses of Sandgate”.
Southside study reveals real cost of ignoring mental health
Taxpayers could save $482 million over the next decade if governments tackle root causes of mental distress in Brisbane’s southern suburbs and Logan, a groundbreaking study has found.
‘Do something now’: Fire ants blamed for river banks collapse
Logan River residents want the state to investigate possible links between deadly fire ants and accelerating river bank erosion as property owners live in fear of landslips.