Movember

Earlier this month when my husband saw me off on my three week trip to visit my parents he had started to grow a beard.  I was a bit shocked. After all, in the sixteen years of knowing Mark, he has never allowed for more than a couple of days of growth to occur.  You may wonder why this sudden change.  It wasn't related to my leaving, but rather to an act of solidarity with the thousands of other Australian men who grow moustaches during the month of November to help raise awareness and funds for men's health.  What began as an excuse to bring back the mo (Australian slang for moustache), has turned into a global movement.

Each November--Movember--men who wish to become a "Mo Bro" start the month with a clean shaven face.  Throughout the month they then grow a moustache.  It is important to note that it must be a moustache, and as my husband found out, beards don't count.   With their changing face men are encouraged to talk about their own health.  Friends and families show support by in the form of donations.  The culmination of the event are "Gala Partes," where Mo Bros dress up--their costumes shed light on the inspiration for their Mos (i.e. a bloke with a Sherlock Holmes style Mo will don a deerstalker cap)--celebrate in style.

If you'd like to find out more about Movember you can visit the official website.