Ron Monaghan Foundation

19/05/2026

This is why awareness and early detection of prostate cancer are so important.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18svVsJd3Q/?mibextid=wwXIfr

“I was diagnosed out of the blue accidentally in 2001, at age 47," Wayne says. 😯

"I was lucky that I had a really switched on GP and she gave me a PSA test. 🙏

“It turned out to be a vicious cancer, so I went from being a healthy person one day, to someone whose life was under threat the next.” 😢

Former Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan says early detection saved his life. 💯

“What I didn’t know when I went into surgery was whether it had escaped my prostate. 😬

“Fortunately for me, it hadn't, so I had a complete recovery — and I’ve lived to see my kids grow up. At the time, my eldest was 17, my next was 12, and my youngest was only 7.” 🤞

Wayne’s father died from prostate cancer. Today, three of his four brothers have also been diagnosed. 😧

“The most important fact here is that at that time I had no idea that I was at significant risk of prostate cancer. 😞

“My father died a painful death from prostate cancer at age 67, but I didn’t know that gave me a 1 in 2 chance of having the disease myself. 🤕

“And today, there are around a million Australian men in that situation, who have a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, most of whom wouldn’t know they have a 1 in 2 chance of getting the disease. 😲

“It’s staggering that there has never been the same amount of funding put into awareness campaigns for prostate cancer as we’ve seen for other cancers. 💯

“We spend around $300 million per year for breast screening, but nothing for men with prostate cancer. 😢

“The time has come to seize the same momentum our mothers and sisters have fought for in the fight against breast cancer. 💪

“Men tend to look after their health less, but there has also been a small faction within the medical community who have opposed PSA testing and early detection. 👎

“Those attitudes and views are those of neanderthals and are doing enormous damage to the health of Australian men.” 👈

Last week we announced that Wayne has agreed to lead PCFA’s National Committee for the Elimination of Prostate Cancer — towards our goal of zero deaths. 🙌

“Knowledge saved my life, and I want to help give other men that chance,” he says. ❤️

We're with you all the way Wayne, and the time for change is now. 👊

Read more on our website: https://bit.ly/43docVE

13/05/2026

How’s this for a lunch room view?!
Great morning today at a BERT & CIP sponsored site visit to Royale at Surfers Paradise. Thank you builder, Hutchinsons and CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT delegate, Darren for a worthwhile and important discussion with workers.

18/04/2026

Last Thursday (the 16th April) RMF was welcomed at a BERT & CIP sponsored site visit to the QE2 Hospital Expansion project. This is a huge development with around 400 workers at present so it was a great opportunity to reach a lot of people and further increase prostate cancer awareness. Thank you CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT delegate, Keith, and builder, BUILT for having us.

09/04/2026

Last Wednesday (the 1st of April) RMF was invited to a BERT & CIP sponsored site visit at a Wharf Street, Brisbane City project.
It was great to speak to about 50 workers and be received so well. Thank you to builder, Hutchinsons, and CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT delegate, Mace, for the opportunity to help save men’s lives through fostering increased awareness of prostate cancer.

31/03/2026

A bleak, drizzly day down the Gold Coast but a bright welcome and great BERT & CIP sponsored site visit to the Qld Govt Social Housing site at Southport. Thank you to CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT delegate, Seb, and builder, ICON for the opportunity to speak to about 40 workers. Had some very enlightening conversations.

25/03/2026

RMF has been in Cairns for a couple of days and this morning visited the Water Treatment Plant just south of the city. There weren’t a huge number of workers (about 30) on site but it’s just as important to reach out to those living in our regional centres as well. It was great to see the interest in learning more about prostate cancer and how men can best improve their chances of survival. Thank you to BERT & CIP for sponsoring this visit and builders, John Holland for the opportunity.

25/03/2026

Yesterday, the 24th March RMF enjoyed a very productive morning talking to about 40 workers at Cairns Base Hospital. It’s so important to get out to the regions to ensure that all men (and women) are given the opportunity to learn more about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection. Thank you to builders, Hansen Yuncken and CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT organiser, Grant for the invitation to this BERT & CIP sponsored site visit.

23/03/2026

Last Thursday (the 19th March) RMF was invited by CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT delegate, Shyanne, and builder, Multiplex, to the Mantaray site at Main Beach for a BERT & CIP sponsored visit.
It was a great morning with about 150 workers presenting a good opportunity to raise further awareness about prostate cancer and encourage men to have a PSA blood test to aid early detection.
When diagnosed at Stage 1 there is an almost 98% chance of full recovery, which is why regular testing (at least annual unless more frequently recommended by a doctor) is vital. It could save your life.

15/03/2026

Friday the 13th was a lucky one for RMF with an end of the week barbecue at the Griffith Uni Gold Coast site. It was organised by CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT, delegate, ‘Penny’ whose endorsement and encouragement is very appreciated. There were about 80 workers.
Thank you BERT & CIP for your sponsorship, and building company, Built for the support. Often a relaxed atmosphere is a good setting for opening up a few conversations so that was great.

11/03/2026

A productive morning at the Ormeau QTMP (Qld Train Manufacturing Programme) site. RMF was very well received by the work crew (~40) and appreciates the support from CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT delegate, John, and ADCO Constructions.
It is vital that men (and women) learn more about prostate cancer and why early detection is so crucial to survival. The statistics are haunting, but the mortality rate could be vastly reduced if men had a regular (at least annually) PSA blood test.
Thank you BERT & CIP for sponsoring this site visit today.

11/03/2026

A terrific site visit to Woodford Correctional Centre yesterday with the opportunity for RMF’s presence to reach over 400 workers. Great to get feedback from some of the men that they had taken the advice previously suggested about getting a PSA blood test - this is such an important step towards early detection of prostate cancer.
Thank you BERT & CIP for sponsoring this visit, CFMEU Construction & General QLD/NT, delegate, Fisso for being so proactive and encouraging, and BESIX Watpac builders for the support.