By 3 News online staff
Movember started out as a small movement 11 years ago, with some Aussie blokes growing moustaches during November for fun.
It has now turned into a worldwide phenomenon, with millions of dollars raised each year here in New Zealand for the Mental Health Foundation and the Cancer Society.
And this year the Navy has got involved. It's the first time in 140 years sailors have been allowed to grow facial hair exclusively on their upper lips.
"It dates back, as a lot of the stuff that we do, to the traditions and customs that we have had for hundreds of years," says Lieutenant Commander Phil Wheadon, whose father and grandfather both died of prostate cancer in the 1960s.
"In this particular case, it's to do with Queen Victoria who was concerned when she embarked on ships that sailors that were required to be clean-shaven with cut-throat razors, rolling decks, never going to end well – so she intervened and suggested it was appropriate for sailors to grow beards.
"But since then it's always been beards, not moustaches – it's either been clean-shaven or the full set."
Lt Cdr Wheadon says sailors welcomed the move by growing moustaches in a range of "interesting" styles.
"I don't think anybody's particularly used to growing moustaches, and it probably shows."
His crew have raised more than $5000 so far. Yesterday they had a 'mo-off', which was won by Chief Petty Officer Weapons Technician Kerry Dornbusch.
"I modelled it after my idol Chopper Read. It's magnificent. Best achievement of my career yet."
He admits he had a bit of help colouring it in, but it's all for a good cause. Warrant Officer Rick Derksen, who organised the Navy's involvement with Movember, says some of the crew were a bit apprehensive to break with more than a century of tradition, but he's glad they did.
"One of the big things I've found over the last four weeks is the guys – young and old – are starting to talk about their health. They're starting to talk about the bits and pieces, the reasons why we're doing Movember, and to me that's a huge success."
The secret behind his handlebar moustache – a popular style amongst sailors, it would appear – is to stroke it.
"Keep playing with it, keep moving it and you'll find it actually grows."
The Navy plans to make Movember a new tradition, and hopes to double the amount it raises next year.
Watch the video for Alex O'Hara's full interviews with the sailors, down at the Devonport Naval Base.
3 News
source: newshub archive
