This November, BCG staff have thrown their support behind the Movember movement in a bid to shine the spotlight on men’s health to encourage growers and their extend networks to be mindful of their physical and mental health.
It has been a challenging 2018 with below average rainfall for many growers across the region, and harvest time presents busy schedules and long hours which can take it’s toll.
Being aware of your health and of those around you, especially during dry seasons like the one encountered in 2018, is something the BCG Movember team wanted to remind people of, BCG’s Chris Cook explained.
Mr Cook raised his hand to be the Movember team leader for the second year after a successful 2017 campaign.
“During busy periods it can be easy putting our own physical and mental health low on the priority list, which is part of the reason the BCG team have again decided to do their bit for the Movember cause,” said Mr Cook.
During November, the male members of the BCG Movember team allowed their facial hair to flourish and, with the support of their non-mo-growing colleagues, worked on raising money to support the worldwide Movember campaign.
“The aim of Movember isn’t about who can grow facial hair,” reminded Mr Cook.
Movember started in Melbourne in 2003 by two mates over a beer, since then the movement has gone international.
“Its purpose is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health.”
According to Cancer Australia, Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in 2018, thus understandably in small communities many have been touched or affected in some way.
In the same way in 2015 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, suicide was the leading cause of death for men between 15 to 44 years.
“As a community, it is our responsibility to keep the conversation open, to help reduce the stigma associated with male physical and mental health,” Mr Cook concluded.
Visit the Movember website to find out more about the charity and men’s health information.
This article was published in the Stock and Land, 28 November 2018.
