FATHER REMEMBERED: Teagan Warner, pictured with Movember committee member Ron Campbell, accepted Hindmarsh Shire’s Community Event of the Year award on behalf of her late father Michael ‘Spotty’ Warner, who organised Dimboola’s Movember campaign. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
A DIMBOOLA father of three who died from bowel cancer last month was remembered on Australia Day when his daughter accepted Hindmarsh Shire's Community Event of the Year award on his behalf.
Michael 'Spotty' Warner organised Dimboola's first Movember event in 2011 after being diagnosed with cancer the year before.
The inaugural event saw 126 men grow moustaches during November to raise awareness of men's cancer and depression. The number of 'Movember Men' grew to 188 last year.
Mr Warner's daughter, Teagan Warner, said her father would have been thrilled to receive the award.
"He would have absolutely loved it and would honestly be so happy to know he has received this award for his efforts during the past two years," she said.
"My family and I feel really privileged to get the award and I am glad I have the privilege of receiving the award on dad's behalf.
"He put so much work and effort into Movember and he really changed the face of men's health; it was amazing."
Teagan said she hoped her father's death would encourage the region's men to have regular health checks.
"I think now that what has happened has happened, more people will join Movember and get checked," she said.
Dimboola Movember committee member Ron Campbell said Movember got men talking about the importance of their health.
"It is important that these sorts of awareness campaigns are in the community," he said.
"Men's health is foremost in everybody's mind during November, or Movember as I should say, and the community gets right behind it.
"To get the award is good but raising awareness is the main aim of the whole thing. "
