For the past 10 years, the Purnong District Hall has proudly hosted a Longest Table event, bringing their community together in the fight against cancer.
And for Geoff Barber, who brought the idea of hosting to the Hall committee, hosting every year has become somewhat of a family affair.
What started as a simple idea after hearing about the event on the radio has grown into a powerful tradition—one fuelled by personal experiences with cancer. Shortly after their first Longest Table, a young family friend of Geoff’s was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, making their heartfelt mission even more powerful.
"That was just a real driving force behind my motivation, and each year it's grown bigger and bigger.
Nat is still with us today, and she’s been a guest speaker at some of our events - her story really resonated with the whole room and it was quite emotional,” Geoff reflects.
With many other members of the Hall’s committee and wider community facing – and surviving – cancer over the years, the Purnong District Hall’s fight for a future free from cancer has only grown stronger.
Over the years, The Purnong District Hall’s Longest Table events have grown bigger and more meaningful, featuring special guest speakers - including cancer survivors within the community and even comedian Peter Goers (who asked for nothing more than a Coke Zero!)
One of the most memorable moments? Auctioning off an iceberg lettuce for $100 during a price surge—proving that generosity knows no bounds!
For Geoff and the Purnong District Hall, hosting a Longest Table is not just about fundraising for a life-changing cause, but bring their community together.
“It's also an opportunity for our wider communities to get together and enjoy themselves. We try and make the night as light-hearted and enjoyable as we can while still trying to fundraise for such a great cause.”
Despite tough times for their farming community, the focus remains on connection, support, and making the night as enjoyable as it is impactful. With a 'pay what you can' approach, everyone has a seat at the table.
Raising awareness about cancer in the community is also a cornerstone of the annual event. “One of our guests who’s attended every year is actually a survivor of male breast cancer, so it was great to hear his story one year and get a different perspective,” he says.
Geoff hopes that one day, with continued research and advancements, a cure for cancer is found.
“It's not going to be easy, but with the way that research is progressing, I certainly think it's a possibility, and that's what we're striving towards,” says Geoff.
“Over the years we've had discussions as a Committee and we’ve decided we're prepared to keep hosting for as long as it takes.”
Their advice for new hosts? Just go for it! With the right people around you, hosting is an incredibly rewarding experience—for your community and for the future of cancer research.
