Hervey Bay PCSG

Formation

In September 1995 Ros Male, a Continence Nurse/Advisor with Hervey Bay Blue Nursing Service who was frequently in contact with men suffering incontinence and prostate problems, read some articles in various medical journals and other publications regarding the formation of Support Groups in USA .

There was also some information about such groups being formed in Australia with the aim of informing men about the disease and it’s treatment. In particular an item about US Too Australia and the late Peter Schade.

Consequently she organised a meeting at the Hervey Bay Blue Nursing Centre in February 1996 when 30 people attended.

The first meeting of the Hervey Bay Prostate Group was then held on Tuesday 26 March 1996 at the Blue Nursing Centre with Patrick Dryden as the inaugural convener

Monthly meetings were then held at the centre until 1999 when meetings were transferred to The Hervey Bay RSL & Services Club Until his death in late 2002 Pat Dryden ran the Group with the assistance of Ros Male, when she was available. In November 2002 Pat Collings and Brian Henderson took over as Co- conveners of the Group.

In 2007 the name of the Group was changed to Hervey Bay Prostate Cancer Support Group to better tie-in with Cancer Council Queensland for identification purposes.

As at the beginning of 2008 our mailing list contained 85 names although our monthly meeting attendance is only around 20 – 25 people. We have a good spread of both men and women at meetings and generally have been able to obtain suitable guest speakers for the majority of our meetings. At other times a round table discussion is substituted when both old and new members are able to have an open discussion on relative matters.

In September in each of the last four years an Awareness Evening has been organised as our contribution to Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and guest speakers from Brisbane have been secured to attract a good crowd, usually around 120 plus.

Activities

The group meets from 2-3pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Venue
Hervey Bay RSL
11 Torquay Rd
Pialba