(distracted by the action) “Tackle him Billy! He’s yours!” Jack: “Nice one Billy! “But mate – that bowel kit you mentioned – you did it, right?” Dad: “That thing? No way! “I think it’s still lying around at home somewhere. I don’t need to do that! “I might have a bit of a sore back every now and again, but apart from that I’m in good shape…” Jack (laughing?) “Yeah, mate – if fishing or watching TV ever become Olympic sports, you can represent Australia! “But seriously – you should do that bowel test and send it back. I did mine when I got it a few months ago. It was pretty simple to do, and look – you can’t muck around with something serious like bowel cancer. “Remember Frank? When we were younger and he got real sick and passed away? That was bowel cancer…” Dad (more serious): “Yeah, I remember. You’re probably right then. “I’ll get around to doing it soon, then…” Mum: “Yeah… like you’ll get around to fixing that ute and finishing painting the kitchen…” “But Jack’s right… you’ve got to get that test done. “I’ll make sure he does, Jack, don’t worry…” SFX: whistle and cheering Dad: “Awesome Billy! What a goal!” Narrator: “That was an awesome goal. He’s not bad, that “Well, let’s leave them to the game, and hope Dad listens to Jack and gets his bowel cancer screening kit done. “It’s an important thing to do. Did you know that bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in Australia?
“Oh, be fair… I caught a few good ones Billy: “Yeah, along with Uncle Jack’s hat, and the propeller – twice!” Tahlia: “Alright you – enough. The main thing is you had a good time, and we got a great dinner out of it. Thanks for cooking it up, Mum…” Mum: “No worries, Tahlia. Always good to have you around. Especially if you can talk some sense into your father about things like looking after his health…” Dad: “Oh no, I can see where this conversation’s going. Can’t we talk about that bowel cancer kit another time?” Tahlia: “Well, I reckon that’s the problem with this stuff. Everyone wants to put off talking about it till another time.” Mum: “Just like you’ve put off doing that simple test that could save your life…” Tahlia: “Look Dad, we can get back to your fishing stories in a minute. But you know I work at the health clinic, so I get to see first-hand what something like bowel cancer can do to someone’s health, and the impacts it has on their family. “Bowel cancer affects a lot of our mob, and it can be really hard to tell if you have it. “That’s why that test is so good – it’s quick and easy to do, and you can get it done in private here at home.” Jack: “She’s mate. I did mine no worries, and sent it back. I’d rather know as early as possible if there’s a problem, but for now it looks like I’m all good…” Dad: “Okay, you lot. If you’re not ganging up on me my fishing skills, you’re all onto me about this bowel screening thing. I’ll do it tomorrow, alright?” Mum: “You promise? First thing in the morning?” Dad:
“They’ve been through a lot since Billy’s last game – including convincing Dad that he needed to do the bowel cancer screening test he was sent in the mail. “It wasn’t easy, because Dad’s a bit stubborn sometimes, but the family told him how important it is. “Ah, and I can see Dad’s daughter Tahlia arriving at the game to see how he’s going. Let’s listen in…” Dad (yelling): “Good stuff, Billy! Well done, son!” (to Mum and Jack): “He reminds me of a younger version of me, the way he’s playing today!” Jack: “Yeah, but one that can actually kick straight, and takes marks with his hands instead of his face…” Mum: “I seem to remember you spent a lot more time on the sidelines yelling advice to the rest of the team – so a bit like today, really…” Tahlia: “Alright, you two, stop giving Dad a hard time. I remember seeing him play a few times when I was little – he was pretty deadly out there.” Dad: “Tahlia! Good to see you girl! “It’s nice of you to come and support and to support me when these two start running my old footy stories down…” Jack: “The problem is stories seem to get confused with games you’ve watched on the TV, and you think you’ve won a dozen grand finals, rather than kicked two or three goals for the local team…” Tahlia (laughing): “Anyway, Dad – how’d you go with that bowel cancer test. You did it and sent it off, right?” Dad: “Yeah, no worries. It was pretty quick and easy to do. “I got the results back, and yeah, no worries. All fine and healthy for now… “In fact, I reckon I’m healthy enough to the old footy boots on again if I want…” Jack (lauging):