Checking out the assembled bikes for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Photos: Supplied.
Due to the Far South Coast’s older demographic, two in three men there will get prostate cancer.
Francoise Cleret said that was why Narooma Rotary Club was organising its third Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride for Sunday 17 May.
“What began in Sydney 15 years ago as a niche gathering of classic motorcycle enthusiasts has grown into the world’s largest coordinated motorcycle charity event, raising more than US$60 million for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs,” Ms Cleret said.
The Rotarian said the ride now drew 500,000 vintage bikes and male and female riders across 121 countries.
“In Narooma we have raised more than $20,000 over the last two years and we have had more than 120 riders,” she said.
Ms Cleret has been a motor bike rider since 1990 and has always been involved in the motorbike community.
When she moved to the Narooma area six years ago, she was struck by how many people in the community had the disease, knew people with it, or had family members with it.
Narooma Rotary runs a prostate cancer support group on the first Wednesday of the month.
“That opened my eyes to the problem,” Ms Cleret said. “I knew this ride was about, so I said let’s do it down here and try to support a local problem.”
Some of the Dapper Dressers in Narooma’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in 2025.
She said last year 28,868 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 3975 died from the disease in Australia.
“If you get to it early enough you have a 96 per cent survival rate of five-years-plus, but it is a known problem that men are notoriously bad at getting medical help or talking about their health,” Ms Cleret said. “It is second only to lung cancer in terms of mortality for men. Worldwide, one in eight men will get the disease.”
She said men should get a simple blood test every two years after they turn 40. The PSA test is a marker that looks for a specific type of antigen. Treatment could include surgery and drugs, depending on the stage of cancer.
Ms Cleret said prostate cancer could be genetically linked, like breast cancer.
“If you have a family member with breast cancer or prostate cancer you are three times more likely to get prostate cancer. If you have two family members with those types of cancer, you are six times more likely to get it,” she said. “So, speak to people, go early and you will have a better outcome.”
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride also aims to raise awareness about men’s mental health and provide support through programs.
Ms Cleret said in Australia 2500 people took their own life each year, of whom 75 per cent were men. That equates to seven men a day. It is the leading cause of death in men aged 15 to 44.
As with prostate cancer, the solution starts with talking to people.
“Talk to your health professional or talk to your mates,” she said. “People bottle things up and then deal with it inappropriately and overreact. The consequences are dire.”
On Narooma’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in 2025.
On 16 May Narooma Rotary Club has organised a health chat at Club Narooma at 6 pm.
Canberra physiotherapist Jamie Boulding, who specialises in prostate cancer, will talk about how to make life better. The other speaker is Glenn Cotter from RUOK. The health chat is free, but donations are encouraged.
Bikes assemble on NATA Oval behind Southbound Escapes (former Visitors Centre) from 9 am on 17 May.
The ride departs 11 am and returns about 30 minutes later. Women are encouraged to join the ride, frock up and have fun.
The Montague Motoring Club and Sapphire Motoring Club of Pambula will also be showcasing their classic cars at NATA Oval as the ride coincides with Motoring Heritage Day.
The Rotary Food Van will serve breakfast and lunch from 9 am to 2 pm.
“Our Narooma ride attracts men and women from Ulladulla to Eden, many riding classic or vintage-styled motorbikes,” Ms Cleret said. “It’s one of more than 1100 Distinguished Gentleman’s Rides that day in 121 countries bringing people together to celebrate these bikes and the power of community to make a lasting impact on men’s health worldwide.”
All funds raised by the ride are invested by the official charity partner Movember in both local and global prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs.
All riders must register online before 17 May to take part. Donations can also be made online to support a rider.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.auMensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
