Tradies down to nuts and bolts

Lismore painter Chris Baxter from RJ Britt Painting shows off his tight buns in a new nude calendar featuring local tradesmen that will raise money for medical equipment.

Middle-aged ladies from Yorkshire made worldwide news doing it for leukaemia research, and now 12 Lismore men have stripped off to create their own nude calendar to raise funds for a much-needed piece of medical equipment.

While the original 'Calendar Girls' were members of the Rylstone Women's Institute, this new calendar is much more cheeky, featuring 12 buff young local building and construction tradesmen with naught but their birthday suits and a few strategically placed props.

The 'Lismore's Tradesmen of the Year' 2010 nude calendar is being launched this Friday, October 30, at Goonellabah Tavern where you can meet the stars (fully clothed unfortunately) and buy a calendar for the discount price of $10.

Money raised will go toward the purchase of a PET/CT scanner for the Lismore Base Hospital, so people requiring this specialised scan to detect cancers do not have to travel to the Gold Coast or Brisbane.

“The guys were a bit hesitant to start with, but it was nowhere near as naughty as they thought it would be. They all agreed the mild discomfort was well worth it for the potential to raise money for a charitable cause,” co-ordinator Rod Gibson said. “It's a perfect Christmas present for family and friends - something useful, imaginative, reasonably-priced and fun.”

The launch will be held at Goonellabah Tavern from 6.30pm. Calendars will be $10 on the night or $12.50 after the launch. Meals will be available from the restaurant at the Tavern and a live band will kick on into the night.