PLUNGE FOR A CAUSE: BANJIMA MAN ABSEILS PERTH’S TALLEST TOWER
By Esther Colman
It’s not every day you see people abseiling 130 metres down Perth’s tallest building.
Other than the occasional skyrise window washer, people dangling off ropes down the Central Park tower is rather uncommon.
Banjima man Wes Carey was one of the brave people who took the plunge off the Central Park Tower.
Mr Carey was amongst dozens of participants in this year’s Central Park Plunge, a charity event raising funds for life-changing medical research through the Fiona Wood Foundation and supporting causes like the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
“I’ve had a few family members diagnosed with cancer,” he said.
“So I wanted to show my support and show leadership for my people in the Pilbara. We’re all connected up here, and this is my way of giving back.”
Now in its tenth year, the Central Park Plunge has become one of Perth’s most iconic fundraising events — inviting everyday heroes, corporate teams and community leaders to descend 52 storeys for charity.
According to Joanne Jones, General Manager of Fundraising for PCFA, the event is not only about courage, but about starting important conversations.
“The participants have been so brave and amazing, raising vital funds and awareness for prostate cancer,” she said, “We couldn’t do what we do without their incredible efforts.”
Prostate cancer remains Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer, with one in five men expected to face it in their lifetime.
Yet, as Joanne explained, many men still don’t get checked.
The PCFA is urging men over 50, or over 40 with a family history, to ask their GP for a PSA blood test.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, the risks are even higher.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among our people,” Mr Carey said.
“Sometimes we’ve got cultural barriers, that shame or fear of going to the doctor, but we’ve got to overcome that. The earlier you get diagnosed, the better your chances.”
As Mr Carey stepped over the edge of the Rio Tinto building, his family watched from below.
“One of my biggest fears is heights,” he laughed.
“But I wanted to show my kids that you should always face your fears and challenge yourself. If I can do this, they can do anything.”
Funds raised from the event will help the Fiona Wood Foundation continue its groundbreaking research into burn recovery and rehabilitation — developing a new data platform to improve outcomes for patients around the world.