Barossa Legend’s Legacy Brings Lifesaving Skin Checks to SA
There’ll be plenty of impressive machines rolling into the Tony Kuchel Memorial Round-up on October 25, but the most important stop on the day might just be the skin check tent.
The annual show and shine was born from the Kuchel family’s desire to bring people together in memory of Barossa identity Tony Kuchel, who died in 2021, aged 68.
Tony was well known across the region and far beyond it, particularly in transport and motoring circles.
The Kuchel name remains familiar on Barossa roads through the family’s distinctive maroon and blue Kuchel Transport rigs, while Kuchel Custom Trucks has a 50-year history of customising trucks and hot rods. The family also operates a retail and landscaping business in Tanunda.
Cars and restorations were a big part of Tony’s life, so when COVID restrictions meant many interstate friends were unable to attend his funeral, his family decided they would bring everyone together when the borders finally reopened.
What was intended to be a little car event in Tony’s honour became the first Tony Kuchel Memorial Round-up.
And it grew from there.
A Legacy With a Purpose
For Tony’s wife Anne and the Kuchel family, the event also presented an opportunity to raise awareness of something that had affected their family profoundly — skin cancer.
Tony had received a double lung transplant in September 2017 after developing Farmer’s Lung.
He had never smoked, but following the transplant he needed to take immunosuppressant medication for the remainder of his life.
The family was warned the medication would leave him at greater risk of developing skin cancers.
Anne said lesions later began appearing on Tony’s face, but the family felt their concerns were not taken seriously enough.
“We were warned that due to the immunosuppressant drugs he was to be on for the remainder of his life, the likelihood of skin cancers appearing was high,” she said.
“Yet our family were amazed that several medical staff seemingly shrugged off our concerns we had about the lesions that were appearing on his face.”
Several months later, those concerns were investigated.
Despite radiotherapy, the cancer eventually spread to Tony’s lungs and he died shortly after treatment.
It left the Kuchel family determined to help improve awareness of the dangers of skin cancer and encourage people to have suspicious spots checked.
Initially, money raised through the Round-up supported Mates Against Melanoma, with funds directed back into the local community and used to provide free skin checks in the Barossa.
After the success of those clinics, and another Round-up in 2023, the family decided to establish the Tony Kuchel Skin Cancer Foundation Inc., ensuring money raised in Tony’s name could continue to directly benefit the community.
Free skin checks return
Free skin checks have now become a major part of the Round-up and will again be available at this year’s event, funded by the Foundation and carried out by the Skintech Medical team.
And recent results show exactly why the Kuchel family is so passionate about providing them.
At the recent Riverland Field Days, Skintech Medical carried out 98 skin checks.
Among the concerns identified were 11 potential melanomas, 18 suspected basal cell carcinomas and 18 suspected squamous cell carcinomas, while another 20 people were advised to see their doctor about actinic keratosis or sun damage that could potentially be precancerous.
For Anne, it reinforces the importance of making skin checks accessible — and of people taking changes to their skin seriously.
Be Part of the Round-Up
The Tony Kuchel Memorial Round-up will be held on Sunday, October 25 at Kuchel Contractors, 52 Siegersdorf Road, Tanunda.
Cars, trucks and bikes of all descriptions are invited to take part in the show and shine, with entries now open.
The day will also include live and silent auctions, family activities, food and coffee vans, along with the free skin checks.
Public entry is by gold coin donation, with proceeds supporting the work of the Tony Kuchel Skin Cancer Foundation.
TONY KUCHEL MEMORIAL ROUND UP
WHEN: Sunday October 25, Entry from 8:30am
WHERE: Kuchel Contractors, 52 Siegersdorf Road Tanunda
MORE INFO: Click Here
