Member for Barwon, Roy Butler is urging local men to “keep the lip fungus” and raise money for men’s health in November.

When it comes to men’s health, this month is better known as “Movember,” marking the annual event which involves the growing of your most magnificent moustache!

It’s all for a good cause, with the aim to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide.

While the month may be halfway through, Mr Butler urges men in his electorate to continue with their ‘growth.’

“There is still more than half of the month of November to go, so I am keeping the mo-mentum going for Movember."

"If you have seen me over the first weeks of November you will notice that the strange furriness continues to grow under my nose and around my chin,” Mr Butler said.

“It’s that time of year when I give the razor a bit of rest and let my facial hair run riot to raise money for men’s health.”

Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.

In Australia last year over 316,000 fundraisers rallied for men’s health and sported a fantastic variety of moustache styles.

Twenty well-known Ambassadors helped out with the cause in 2023, including TV personalities Cameron Daddo and Osher Ginsberg and musician, Kirk Pengilly.

INXS band member, Kirk Pengilly has sported his iconic moustache for decades, but he also flies the flag for men’s health, having lost a close mate to suicide, and having survived prostate cancer.

For inspiration in our region though, we look to our local member of Parliament!

“The average life expectancy of men in the west is much lower than in the cities and often features causes of death that are preventable,” Mr Butler said.

“Movember Australia is raising awareness of these issues and raising money to fund solutions.”

“Men across the electorate of Barwon often leave it too late to seek help for health problems, both physical and mental, and there are also major problems with access to health services in regional, rural, and remote areas.

“If you have a moment, get onto the Team Barwon Movember page and either make a donation or sign up as a team member to help raise money for men's health.

"You don't actually have to grow a mo, you can set yourself a walking or running goal, hold an event, or find your own way to raise money.

“So, I’m putting out the call to people in Barwon - who will join me in growing a mo, setting a walking goal for mental health, hosting a "mo-ment" - a money-raising event - or just doing your own thing to raise money?"

To find out more about Movember click here

To join the Barwon team click here.