Funny man: The Suburban Footballer, Tom Siegert, provides comedic entertainment.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
An impressive 175 guests crammed into Kyabram Recreation Reserve on Friday, February 23, to help raise much-needed funds for men’s health.
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The annual Kyabram Men’s Longest Lunch returned for its ninth year and featured a host of notable speakers and entertainers who kept attendees on their toes.
A large selection of auction items was raffled, with all funds raised going to Kyabram District Health Service.
Standup: Tom Siegert cracks jokes to a good reception.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The prizes included a signed Collingwood jumper by 2023 AFL premiership stars Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard (whose dad, Peter, was in attendance), an inner sanctum experience with the Gold Coast Suns, a stay in a holiday house at Apollo Bay and a trip to Fiji.
Kyabram Men’s Longest Lunch chairman Nick Curnow said this year was probably the second-highest attendance and that all funds raised went directly to the local health service to fund a dedicated men’s health staff member.
Full house: The Kyabram Men’s Longest Lunch always draws a crowd.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“Last year, after we donated the money, it took the total we raised in eight years for them up to $100,000 … so they’re very happy,” he said.
“The lunch is going so so well, it will just keep going on. It’s got a reputation now and it’s a good day. It’s not a huge one, Echuca had a very big lunch and Shepparton have a huge one, which is great, but I think this one’s a little bit more intimate and everyone can get around and speak to everyone.”
Good times: Ash Watson and David Williams during the long lunch.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Renowned comedian Tom Siegert, also known as The Suburban Footballer, drew raucous laughter from his men’s health-themed jokes, while MC and former Channel 10 sports presenter Brad McEwan worked the room effectively.
Listening in: Master of Ceremonies Brad McEwan speaking to a packed room.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Guest speaker Damian Drum, who is an ex-AFL and VFL player and coach, as well as a former federal parliamentarian, reflected on the journey his footy career took him from the Goulburn Valley to Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney and Perth and then back to the Goulburn Valley.
Footy crowd: MC Brad McEwan does his thing.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“Most of the people here are footy heads and they want to hear some stories from behind the scenes, so it’s an opportunity to share some of those stories, and I think growing up in the regions you can be a bit innocent and a little bit naive and then all of a sudden when you go to the city the world opens up a bit in front of you,” he said.
“So that’s what makes a lot of the stories relatively funny because it’s considerably different to what you sort of grew up with back here in the regions.
“This event normally raises around $30,000 for men’s health in Kyabram at Kyabram Health and that’s a really substantial effort from locals. I just think days like today should be revered and hugely supported — and it’s great that it is.”
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