16 June 2022
An esteemed group of prostate cancer support group leaders have been awarded Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s (PCFA) prestigious annual Max Gardner Award for Distinguished Service.
The four recipients have together contributed over 71 years of combined voluntary work to helping men and their partners cope with the disease.
Mr John Fullagar of North Shore (NSW), Mr Rob McCulloch of Bundaberg (QLD), and Mr and Mrs Graham and Adele Staggs of Dural (NSW), have each been presented with an award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to PCFA’s mission.
PCFA Chairman, Adjunct A/Prof Steve Callister, commended the award winners.
“My congratulations to John, Rob, and Graham and Adele, for their awards. They are truly remarkable figures in the Australian prostate cancer community, dedicating many hundreds of hours of service to other men and families impacted by the disease and raising awareness to help us defeat it,” he said.
“I thank them for their voluntary service and contribution. Their tireless advocacy has advanced our work towards a future free of prostate cancer and has changed many lives for the better.”
The annual award is named in memory of the late Max Gardner, who was a passionate advocate for prostate cancer control in Australia, helping to establish PCFA’s nationwide Prostate Cancer Support Group Network.
PCFA CEO, Anne Savage, thanked the Max Gardner recipients for their leadership.
“Our work is only made possible by the support of people like John, Rob, Graham and Adele, who give of their own time to ensure that men and their partners do not have to walk alone when prostate cancer strikes,” Ms Savage said.
“They play a vital role in providing men and their loved ones with information, comfort, and support, calling on their own personal experiences to make a difference in the lives of others.
“We’re honoured to be a part of a grassroots network of exceptional Australians impacted by prostate cancer who are dedicated to improving survivorship outcomes for all others.”
About the recipients:
Rob McCulloch joined the Bundaberg PCSG following his diagnosis and surgery in 2007 and has been leader of the Bundaberg PCSG since 2009. He became a PCFA Ambassador in 2013, while also serving on the then Queensland Chapter Council. He has been integral in the establishment of other Support Groups in the region and has dedicated countless hours to community awareness and peer support over the past 15 years.
John Fullagar has been involved in the North Shore PCSG for nearly 20 years, joining the group in 2004 after undergoing a radical prostatectomy. John became Secretary of the Group in 2012 and was elected to his current role of Support Group Leader in 2015. John was also a founding member and is the former Deputy Chair of PCFA's NSW/ACT Chapter Council. In addition, he’s a PCFA Ambassador, attending regular events to help raise awareness about prostate cancer locally.
Graham and Adele Staggs lead the Dural Prostate Cancer Support Group. Graham originally joined the Sydney Adventist Hospital Prostate Cancer Support Group in 2004, following a radical prostatectomy, and went on to jointly found the Dural and District PCSG in March 2012. Over the past 18 years, they have provided information and peer support to hundreds of men and their partners, and Adele has also established a Carer’s Group for Ladies, which meets monthly.
PCFA has more than 130 Support Groups around Australia, providing vital peer support and outreach to the community.
To find out more, go to www.pcfa.org.au.
ENDS
PCFA Media contact:
Laura McKoy | M.0435 094 788
Image at top: From left to right: Mr Rob McCulloch of Bundaberg (QLD), Mr and Mrs Graham and Adele Staggs of Dural (NSW), and Mr John Fullagar of North Shore (NSW).
Additional note: Mr Fullagar’s hat and apron were funded through a grant from the Willoughby City Council to help promote the group at local events and raise awareness of prostate cancer. Mr Fullagar wishes to thank them for their contribution.
