By Jesse Graham
FOR some people, the start of November is the start of preparation for Christmas.
For others, like Healesville’s Joel Hawting, the first of November marks the beginning of a month-long fund-raiser, with one last shave for a good cause as Movember begins.
Mr Hawting is one of the many people taking part in Movember, where participants shave at the beginning of the month and then put down the razor to try and grow facial hair.
The event raises money for men’s health projects focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention, with the goal of reducing the rates of premature death in men.
Mr Hawting, who is part of a group of nine taking part in Movember, shaved on Tuesday 1 November, and said his team would be growing horseshoe-style moustaches, similar to the one sported by Dennis Lillee.
“We’re all going to be Dennis Lillee lookalikes for a month,” he said.
“I normally have a bit of three-day stubble or something – so to have it come off and to get a bit of length, it’s going to be interesting.”
Mr Hawting said he hoped the event would help to raise awareness of men’s health, and prompt men to take the time to take stock of their health, both physical and mental.
“I think men’s health is an area that as blokes, we’re not always good at looking after ourselves in a lot of ways,” he said.
“For me, I think it was about a simple thing, in growing a moustache, to raise awareness, but also to encourage men to think about these issues, and think about instead of trying to deal with things themselves, share with other people and support one another.
“Too often, it’s that old-school way of thinking, that we’ve got to be tough, we’ve got to do it all alone and we pave our own paths, when I think men are obviously better when we’re together and working together.”
He said this year’s event asked participants to do some form of physical activity each day and record it, as a reminder to stay in good physical health.
Though the team – the Horseshoe Crew – does not have a fund-raising goal for the month, Mr Hawting said he was hoping to raise $1000.
To donate, or for more information about Movember, visit au.movember.com
