PONY UP FOR MEN’S HEALTH
PONY UP FOR MEN’S HEALTH AT THE GOLD COAST TURF CLUB FOR THE FIRST-EVER MEN MATTER RACEDAY
Giddy-up guys, and get along to the inaugural Men Matter Raceday at the Gold Coast Turf Club (GCTC), on Saturday 26 June to enjoy live racing, activities and entertainment on and off the track to raise awareness and funds for men’s health charities.
Coinciding with Men’s Health Week (14–20 June 2021) and a first for the Queensland racing sector, Men Matter Raceday is the passion project of GCTC Chairman Brett Cook, who wants Aussie men to ‘man up’ and take their physical and mental health seriously.
According to the Men’s Health Week website, more males are at risk of accidents, take their own lives and suffer from lifestyle-related health conditions than women at the same age.
Men are also less likely to seek help and visit general practitioners.
Mr Cook has witnessed firsthand the devasting effects of not being proactive with health and wellbeing among his family and friends.
“I’ve known a lot of men who have been lost to suicide in the past five years and there’s an underlying need for blokes to be more open to talking about mental health,” Mr Cook said.
“There’s definitely a stigma around asking for help. Prostate cancer is another topic that blokes don’t talk about or visit doctors to get checked out.
“Both my grandfathers had prostate cancer – one was detected too late, and he died in his mid-60s and the other was caught early and he lived to be 97 years, so that’s another issue that hits close to home,” he said.
The concept behind the Men Matter Raceday is to raise a sizeable sum for men’s health charities with a fun, action-packed day of live racing, entertainment, raffles, special guest speakers and exclusive event packages.
Raceday Ambassadors include Channel 7 weather presenter Paul Burt and Jake Ellis (Bachelor in Paradise Australia) with entertainment from comedian Arj Barker and a guest appearance by Channel 9’s Karl Stefanovic.
There will be a virtual auction ahead of the raceday to raise funds for the event beneficiaries with enticing major prizes, including a brand-new MG 3 Auto Core car, Waverunner jetski, Hamilton Island holiday package, State of Origin package and much more.
While the Men Matter – Event Centre event has already filled its 950-seat capacity, racegoers can still purchase tickets to the cocktail-style The Stallion Soiree in the TAB Emporium and The Bow Tie Bash package for younger patrons, while general admission entry is via a gold coin donation.
On the raceday, men are encouraged to wear bowties and women to accessorise with bows, while enjoying a program of eight thrilling races totalling $200,000 in prize money alongside a host of trackside events and dapper activations, such as shoeshines, barbers and more.
The charity event will directly benefit three health organisations: LIVIN, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and The Common Good, which provide services, support and programs that address physical and mental health issues and concerns.
Mr Cook hopes Men Matter Raceday will shine the spotlight on men’s health challenges and encourage the early detection and treatment of preventable health conditions.
“Through this inaugural charity event, we want to raise awareness, educate and fundraise for men’s health with a fun and frivolous raceday that has a serious takeaway message for men to lead by example and take charge of their health by making sure they see their doctor for regular checks,” Mr Cook said.
“If people come along to the Men Matter Raceday and have a good time while receiving some underlying messages about being proactive with their physical and mental health, then that will be a great day out all round,” he said.
Men Matter Raceday is made possible by the support of major sponsors TAB and WIN Network, Gold Coast MG, GC Waverunners and many more Gold Coast businesses.
The Men Matter Raceday has its inaugural outing at Aquis Park on Saturday 26 June from 10am. General admission tickets and exclusive trackside and dining packages are available at gctc.com.au/event/men-matter/
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