1 September 2011, Sydney: Celebrity chef and BBQ extraordinaire, Ben O’Donoghue, is set to kick off Australia’s Guinness World Record attempt for the World’s Longest BBQ Marathon to officially launch International Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and Commonwealth Bank have joined forces to host this huge public barbeque on Thursday, 1 September 2011 at Cathedral Square in Sydney, and are encouraging all Australians to host a Big Aussie Barbie of their own throughout September to raise money for this incredibly important cause.

A dedicated team of six Commonwealth Bank staff have volunteered to man the BBQ, cooking non-stop from 7:00am Thursday, 1 September until 9:30am Friday, 2 September. Their challenge is to work together and pace themselves, as the team that begins the 26.5-hour challenge must be the same team that completes it!

Hungry Sydney-siders are encouraged to visit Cathedral Square for an incredible feast at any time of day or night – bacon and egg rolls, sausage and steak sandwiches, chicken kebabs, fresh corn on the cob and veggie burgers – in exchange for a donation of any amount. All funds raised throughout the entire event will help PCFA continue their vital research into the cause, treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

Commonwealth Bank will ensure no food goes to waste during the World Record attempt and will be donating cooked food to OzHarvest, the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol Vans and a number of other Sydney homeless shelters at regular points throughout the BBQ.

Ben O’Donoghue said that September is the perfect time for Australians to get the tongs out and host their own BBQ for prostate cancer.

"September signals the start of warmer weather, footy finals season, and of course, Father’s Day. By getting your friends and family over for a barbecue during the month, and asking each of them to make a donation, you can help Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia continue to fund their work around the country."

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men. Tragically, this year, almost 20,000 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 3,300 men will die of the disease1.

Dr. Anthony Lowe, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, says 

“What is not commonly understood is that men can be diagnosed with prostate cancer as early as in their forties.  By coming to support us as we attempt to break a World Record, or by having your own Big Aussie Barbie during September, you will enable us to continue to invest in world leading research, raising awareness of prostate cancer and supporting men and their families affected by the disease.” 

Commonwealth Bank Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ralph Norris, is proud to continue supporting PCFA during this important campaign.

“In an organisation as large and diverse as ours, the prevalence of prostate cancer means that it is something that sadly and inevitably affects the lives of many of our customers, staff, friends and family. We hope that by hosting this BBQ we will help raise much needed funds for PCFA as well as raise mass awareness of prostate cancer amongst Australians.”

Go to www.prostate.org.au to host a Big Aussie Barbie.

Notes to Editors

Event details

Start time: 7.00am SHARP, Thursday September 1, 2011

Finish time: 9.30am SHARP, Friday September 2, 2011

Where: Cathedral Square (Corner of College and William Streets), Sydney

Media contacts

Adam Welch

Commonwealth Bank

E: adam.welch@cba.com.au

P: 02 9118 2956 / M: 0478 307 204

Guinness World Record BBQ Guidelines:

  • No team member may be substituted during the BBQ. The team that begins the challenge must be the same team that completes it or the Guinness World Record is not valid.
  • Each member of the team must be cooking continuously, not preparing food or cleaning.
  • Each member of the team must have at least two items of food on the BBQ at any point during the record.
  • There must be at least five different items of food being cooked and served throughout the entire BBQ.
  • Each member of the team is only allowed one five-minute break for every completed hour of cooking, but may accumulate this over a longer period e.g. take a 20 minute break after four hours.
About the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

PCFA is the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. It is dedicated to providing support for Australian men and their families impacted by prostate cancer, raising awareness and funding important Australian research projects.

PCFA receives limited funding from government, therefore relying on the generosity of individuals, the community and important partnerships with corporate Australia, such as the Commonwealth Bank, to carry out its essential work.

For further information about prostate cancer or PCFA, visit www.prostate.org.au or free call 1800 22 00 99.

About the Commonwealth Bank’s ongoing support of PCFA

The Commonwealth Bank has been a major supporter of the PCFA since 2002. It is committed to the communities in which it operates and to supporting organisations that contribute to the health and wellbeing of all Australians.www.commbank.com.au/prostatecancer

1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Cancer in Australia: An overview, 2008. AIHW Cat.no. CAN 42. Excludes non-melanoma skin cancers.