The men of the Australian High Commission have had a hairy month. Led by High Commissioner Matt Anderson, they have been growing moustaches in support of 'MOVEMBER'.
Movember is a month long global charity initiative to raise awareness, support and funding for serious men's health issues, specifically prostate cancer and male depression.Starting clean-shaven on 1 November, the Australian High Commission men have carefully grown and groomed their moustaches, and have so far raised over SBD 15,000 for the cause.
Movember began in Australia in 2003 and has grown to become a truly global movement. To date, over one million moustache-growers - from Sydney to Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro to Honiara - have raised over SBD 1.4 billion dollars in support of Movember.
"Australian High Commission officers have been proud to grow and groom their moustaches in support of Movember," said High Commissioner Anderson.
"In Australia, Solomon Islands and around the world, one of the biggest hurdles men tackle in regards to their health is a general reluctance to discuss the health issues they face - whether with their partner, mates, family or doctor.
"As a result, the level of awareness, understanding, support and funding lags significantly behind that of women's health causes.
"By participating in Movember, the Australian High Commission hopes to get conversations over men's health started, educating men about the health risks they face and raising much needed funds for research, education and support programs," said Mr Anderson.