We did it! Here we are post covid lockdowns. All of you are the best supporters of any organization. In 2021 we had to cancel the February 14 auction date because of a last minute lockdown- then we had to do the auction online…we raised $200,000 on the night. Because of that we were able to buy a 3D Anatomy table.

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This year the plan is to buy a Liquid Nitrogen Freezer which is a biobank fridge.  Three auctions ago we bought one of these fridges and it is now full so Phil can not save any new whole prostate samples, which they need for research. SO, this is very important that we raise enough funds to buy one of these fridges. They cost around $100,000.  

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There are behind the scenes people who actually make this auction possible and I need to thank them in public:

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Kate Hatton the best partner anyone could want- the detail person who takes everything I throw at her and makes sense and order out of it. Paul Sumner and Amanda Swanson who have generously donated this space and their time to make this a special event. They have always supported me and this charity event.

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IAS our partner – who never say no to us and who pick up works of art from everywhere in the country AND store it for us…and deliver it here.

I thank the Red Hill Gang (you know who you are) and Judith Gore who have been by my side this whole year supporting my endless and relentless artist/auction talk.

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Our newest Ambassadors, Amanda Milledge, Janet Broughton and Zoe Broughton and Candice Prezens.

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If not for Professor Tony Costello, we would all not be here sharing our love and our generosity – it is Tony’s vision and energy, his dedication to help ease people’s pain and sadness- he invented this one of a kind Prostate Centre and is now inventing teaching methods for robotic surgery as well as just finishing an 800 page text book – the definitive teaching guide for robotic surgeons. We all thank you Professor.

Fred Schepisi my love, talk about patience and smarts – you are the cleverest of the clever….

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The money raised tonight is for all men with any form of cancer below the waist to come to the centre for help, advise, counselling, diagnosis and treatment in a non-threatening, non-judgemental, non hospital like environment without the cost to patients that do not have insurance.

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Please tell your friends and families to get tested- and not wait. This is one reason we support the APC – early detection. EVERYONE in this room is important to the centre.  If you need help please contact the centre or Fred or Tony or myself.  DO NOT HESITATE. the centre is here for you. Thank you for being here for us…..

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I would like to finish with this quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald

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“for what it is worth… it’s never too late, or in my case to early, to be whoever you want to be.  There is no time limit.  Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst to it. I hope you make the best of it.  I hope you see things that startle you. I hope that you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not,  I hope you have the courage to start all over again.

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Thank you for being here for us.

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