12 February 2026
David Harrison and his fellow volunteers share a simple goal: no man in Corowa, on a farm or in town, should face prostate cancer alone.
Diagnosed three years ago at age 64, David had no symptoms. Fit and active, with regular PSA testing due to a strong family history, he was shocked when further investigation revealed prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 7.5.
Surgery was successful, but a rising PSA later showed the cancer had spread to a lymph node. Two months of radiation and androgen deprivation therapy followed.
“That is just a wild ride,” David says. “Hot flushes, muscle aches, insomnia. You just hit a wall.”
The experience opened his eyes to how overwhelming and isolating a diagnosis can be, particularly in rural communities. That is what led him to join and help establish a local support group, so other men would not have to navigate it alone.
“In Corowa and the surrounding districts, many older men live alone on properties outside town. Long days, distance and a culture of quiet resilience can make it harder to seek help,” David added.
“Men aren’t really prepared for this. Before you know it, you’re sitting in a specialist’s office talking about major life-changing surgery.”
Building support in Corowa
In August 2025, the Corowa Prostate Cancer Awareness & Support Group became affiliated with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Led by David Harrison, the group aims to raise awareness among men in the Corowa area and provide support to men, along with their partners and families, who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The group meets at the Corowa Golf Club on the 4th Wednesday of each month, commencing at 6pm. The setting is deliberately informal. Men can share a meal, have a conversation and connect in a relaxed environment.
Early meetings were well attended, and with renewed energy and some external funding secured, the group is preparing a relaunch, including a locally designed brochure and stronger links with medical professionals.
David says support from PCFA made the process simple.
“Every time you start a group, someone asks about insurance or governance.
“PCFA does all that for you. If I’d known how easy it was, we would have done it two years ago.”
Go where the farmers go
David says reaching farmers is a central focus for the group for the year ahead.
Rather than expecting men from surrounding properties to attend town-based events, the group plans to go to them.
A multidisciplinary health and testing day is being explored at Corowa’s busy sheep saleyards, where thousands of sheep are sold each week, and farmers from across the district gather.
“That’s where we want to interface with them,” David says.
“It’s hard to get farmers to come to town for health events. But they come to the saleyards.”
The Corowa PCSG is building closer ties with the Wangaratta support group, whose members have already travelled to attend meetings, and is reaching out to the newly formed Albury group.
“By connecting across Corowa, Wangaratta and Albury, the aim is to create a stronger regional network so men can access support wherever they feel most comfortable,” David said.
Daid said there’s a one in five chance you’ll be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“You want to be fit and healthy if you’re diagnosed. Even if you don’t have prostate cancer, get yourself educated. Ask your doctor for a PSA test. Be ready.”
