Congratulations Geoff "Cougar" Coombes

On behalf of all the riders and team members of the Tour de Cure,
congratulations to our own Geoff 'Cougar' Coombes, for not only
making the Australian Dragonboat Team for the World Championships,
but also putting in an outstanding effort and making us all proud.
For those Tour de Cure and support teams that went out to Penrigh to
see Cougar take on the world's best, I'm sure everyone would agree
that it was an outstanding event and Geoff certainly lead from the
front. Cougar we're all terribly proud of what has been an
incredible year for you, and your leadership in the boat was a
reflection of your leadership on the bike. Well done mate and we look
forward to having you back on a bike seat on a more regular basis,
getting set for Tour de Cure 2008. It was interesting to note that
the Dragonboat team also wear lycra.....You don't need to be too
observant to be picking up a theme. Anyway, enough of that, well done
Cougar from the Tour de Cure team.

PCF ~ Sydney's Secret Ingredients Dinner

On Monday night 9 of the Tour de Cure's finest attended Sydney's Secret Ingredients. The Prostate Cancer Foundations first ever Gala dinner. A fantastic evening was had by all and our congratulations go to the brains an beauty who pulled the night together. Our very own R&M Director Samantha Hollier-James and the ever talented and highly creative Popcorn Team (Pete and Andrew Lemon aka Stiffler) served up a delightful night of sensual treats for the taste buds and some beautiful ornaments to which Denver enjoyed admiringly. PR Princess Dani Lombard ensured only the elite of Sydney 'A' list attended the event........hence 2 TDC tables

In true TDC fashion the event was almost hosted in our honour thanks to Sam and Popcorn Events recommending that we present our TDC cheque on the night. Strategically positioning the TDC table next to the PRATT table and beside the media table meant there was no shortage of opportunity to spruik our wares.

Hosted by Karl Stephanovic from the Today Show the guests were treated to entertaining video links with celebrates and Australia's favourite house wife DAME EDNA EVERAGE. The Dame kindly donated her husbands Prostate in a delightful display case for one lucky bidder to win. Note sure who won that item but I am sure it will adorn a mantel somewhere in the Eastern suburbs.

After a beautiful entree by Tetsuya, the crowd settled down to the Prostate Cancers National Chairman, Graeme Johnson, thanking the sponsors of the evening and inviting Richard Pratt from Visy to the stage to present a cheque. Now word had it that Mr Pratt was intending to donate $250,000 which was eagerly anticipated but Wendy and her team. Mr Pratt casually took the stage and nonchallently donated a cheque for 1 MILLION DOLLARS. The crowd rose to their feet and he received a standing ovation in honour of his incredibly generous donation to the Foundation. For those who don't know, Mr Pratt is currently battling Prostate Cancer so his generosity financially and as a spokes person for Prostate Cancer is worth many millions to PCF.

The main meal was served and complimented by some incredible wines all donated by Guiamme (hope I spelt that right). Andrew Giles took to the stage giving a heart felt and somewhat cheeky portrayal of the battles PCF and Prostate Cancer face in the Australia. One hopes that with nights such as this and events such as the Tour de Cure and Movember (that other little event which helps raise almost $6MILLION) that Prostate Cancer is on the road to recognition and greater awareness which may see more men get tested and beat this disease.

Andrew gave a wonderful introduction to the Tour de Cure calling us to the stage to present our cheque. Rising at our tables and coming to the stage from the wings the The TDC crew (Max, Loey, Robyn, Sam, Marty D, Denver, Lemo and I) in superman style, striped off our jackets revealing the Mambo inspired Prostate Cancer Jersey. I would like to point out, Denver lead the strip like a true MANPOWER performer and I think some of the Eastern suburbs ladies slipped him their numbers after the show. To a loud applause the TDC crew took to the stage, proudly showing the detail in Reg Mombassa's prostate Jersey. The camera man took special interest in the crank giving the people in the tables nearest the screens more than they had bargained for.

Not to be outdone by Richard Pratt, I gave the 350 guests a short and well rehearsed life story on the Tour de Cure thanking our incredible supporters and the wonderful work done by the TDC family in bringing an idea over a coffee to life in less than 9mths. I was told a long time ago by a wise man that it's always good to throw in a joke or 2 if you can when making speaches. Perhaps this is only true in Best man speaches but I decided to give it a go, telling the incredibly powerful and influential audience that we did in fact have a larger cheque to present than Richard Pratt.

So with the formalities of the evening behind us the TDC crew (still dressed in sky blue lycra) enjoyed many compliments and enquiries from other guests. Loey, in fine form on the night got the bargain of the century when he won the first of the nights auctions. A full kitchen fit out from Electrolux, Cooking course from Tetsuya and dinner for 4 at Tetsuya's ........a fantastic prize kindly donated by Tetsuya himself! Marsha has a second honeymoon thanks to his successful bid on the Tasmanian holiday. Well done lads!
A special thanks to the wonderful TDC partners for enjoying the evening with us. Their support often goes unnoticed but is certainly never unappreciated. Thanks Soph, Scott, Shoiban, Elisha, Saskia and Caroline (future Mrs Max). A big thanks also to Alan Wahlhaus and his family for attending the night with us.

Well done Sam, Dani, Pete and Lemo! TDC is alive an well in 2007