STAWELL'S Kieran Ryan has called on Wimmera residents to help change the face of men's health.
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Mr Ryan is an ambassador for Movember, an annual event that raises money for and awareness of depression as well as health conditions specific to men, such as prostate and testicular cancer.
During the past four years he has participated in physical challenges, raising more than $25,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue, the national depression initiative.
A highlight was the ambitious 2012 Mo100k, a gruelling 12-hour, 100-kilometre run from Dunkeld to Stawell that pushed him almost to breaking point.
This year, Mr Ryan has a new focus.
He wants a Mo Bro or Mo Sista in every workplace and sporting group in the Wimmera.
"This year I thought, 'how cool would it be to walk down the main street of town and see the bloke at the butchers with a mo or the guy at the cafe with a mo?'" Mr Ryan said.
"It's about taking the moustache out into the community - because that's what starts the conversations about men's health.
"It starts with a weird look or glance from someone you walk past in the street or a double-take in the check-out line at the supermarket until someone points at you and asks, 'are you doing Movember?'"
Mr Ryan has launched The Wimmera's Movember Project.
"If growing a mo and being part of The Wimmera's Movember Project can get one bloke to realise it's okay to open up and talk about the issues he is facing or to ask for help in dealing with them, then we have done our job."
- Kieran Ryan
"The rules are easy to follow," he said.
"Mo Bros must be clean shaven on November 1 and need to grow the meanest mo they can in 30 days."
He said although Movember focused on men's health, ladies were also encouraged to participate.
"All they need to do is register as a Mo Sista and help raise awareness," he said.
"They can spread the word just as well as, if not better than, the Mo Bros."
Mr Ryan said he was passionate about Movember.
"I have seen two close friends lose their battles with mental illness," he said.
"Mental heath issues are higher in men living in rural and remote areas. That's something that needs to change.
"If growing a mo and being part of The Wimmera's Movember Project can get one bloke to realise it's okay to open up and talk about the issues he is facing or to ask for help in dealing with them, then we have done our job."
The Wimmera's Movember Project will finish with a gala party at Lillies and Lattes in Stawell on November 29.
"There will be a dress-up theme of famous men with mos throughout history," he said.
"There will be a band and DJ along with various prizes, including the Wimmera's Mr Movember and Miss Movember, best dressed and lame mo to name a few. Everyone is encouraged to come along there's no need to mo alone."
Mr Ryan said people could visit au.movember.com and search The Wimmera's Movember Project to register as a Mo Bro or Mo Sista or to make a donation.