It was a chance to raise the issue of men’s health and Governor Hurley visited Narooma as the patron of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. After the round of golf there was a reception back at the clubhouse where he spoke about the fact that 3000 men still die of prostate cancer in Australia every year.

“Men are still dying from a cancer that is detectable and preventable,” Governor Hurley said. “My message is to be aware of the symptoms and seek treatment and advice immediately.”

He also spoke about the importance of mental health and how men in rural and regional areas often did not speak up or get the support they needed. 

“It’s a very insidious illness, particularly in rural areas,” he said.

The visit came about as Eurobodalla mayor Lindsay Brown, who himself recently overcame prostate cancer, met the Governor at a French film night in Sydney and asked him to come to Narooma to talk about men’s health.

Clr Brown joined the Governor and Narooma Golf Club president Geoff Lanham and general manager Dominic Connaughton for 18 holes in the morning and at the reception thanked him for visiting.

“It’s a great privilege to have you here and the only thing is I lost more balls on the course than the Governor,” he said. 

Mr Connaughton said it was great that the Governor had made himself available and the male members of the club enjoyed chatting to him on the course.

The club president described him as “Very down to earth and very approachable.”

Back at the reception, the Governor met with local service club members from Lions, Quota and Rotary and he spoke to them about the importance of volunteering.

He also met with the school captains from Narooma Public School – Erica De Heaume, Kurtis Carlson, Siena Anderson and Oscar Newton – and had a chat to them about their day at school, what sport they played and what football team they supported.

The Governor, who grew up in Wollongong and spent many years in Canberra and so was familiar with the region, only spent the day here before heading back to Sydney.