August 8, 2014
It may have been a night for blokes, but that didn’t mean there weren’t a few women around. And one of them had a very important story to tell …
The ‘It’s A Bloke Thing’ men’s health roadshow rolled into Kingaroy on Tuesday evening and set up shop out back at Sunshine Mitre 10.
One of the guest speakers addressing the shed full of men was Bonnie Teschner, from Oakey, who shared her moving story of a “woman’s journey with prostate cancer”.
Bonnie’s husband Howard died of cancer at age 53, four years after being diagnosed.
Howard had ignored the minor symptoms that indicated something might be wrong; Bonnie hopes that speaking at events like Tuesday night’s roadshow will raise awareness and inspire other men to get a check-up.
Associate Professor Craig Allingham spoke about the major men’s health issues: heart disease, prostate cancer, mental health and diabetes, and explained that even simple lifestyle changes can reduce risk.
The roadshow has been travelling across the Darling Downs, South Burnett and South West Queensland for the past two months.
Mitre 10 provided free drinks and a barbecue, and there was also the opportunity to meet former Origin rugby league player Kerry Boustead.
Boustead played on the wing for Queensland in the very first State of Origin match in 1980.
He also represented Australia, playing in the famous 1982 Invincibles Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.
Boustead played NSWRL football with Eastern Suburbs, Manly-Warringah and North Sydney.
