(Harden EE) Back: Left to Right Kai Steele, Guy Abnett.
Front: Jamie Cantrill, Chris Beal.
Absent: Ron Nelligan from EE Cowra who is also part of the team
For a bloke many years ago, it was almost impossible to tie in the two words “banter” and “opening up one’s feelings”.
In a recent Australian Bureau of Statistics study, numbers revealed the nation’s suicide rate was higher last year than in over a decade.
Seven men are lost each day to suicide in Australia and it is important that we as a nation reshape the meaning of masculinity and normalise the idea for a bloke to ask for help.
This year, the boys at the Essential Energy Harden depot are teaming up and growing their moustaches for a good cause titled Movember.
Participating males grow their moustache for a month to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
Pictured is Kai Steele, Chris Beal, Guy Abnett and Jamie Cantrill at the depot yesterday morning with their good looking three-week old mo.
Supervisor Kai Steele jokingly pointed out that Guy Abnett grew his out within three days whilst the rest of the blokes have “average looking moustaches”.
Banter aside, this is the first time Kai is involved with Movember and he said change is needed at his workplace.
“In this day and age mental health is at the forefront of men in general. Previously I thought a bloke is a bloke and that we wouldn’t talk about these things,” Mr Steele said.
Jamie Cantrill added that more awareness is needed after seeing male co-workers in the sector take their life over the past few years.
“It’s about helping the lads out, getting together and a bit of camaraderie and banter to help raise awareness,” Jamie said.
“Around our area we’ve lost a few men to suicide in the last maybe six years? I know at least five or six blokes, that’s pretty high.”
A leader at the footy club and at the depot, Kai said changes have been made at the workplace to ensure blokes check in on each other and in hope, reduces the stereotype.
Chris Beal has been a participant of the Movember fundraiser for years and this year encouraged the depot to do it collectively as a team.
The fundraiser team captain said it was a great to raise awareness and much needed funds for men’s health.
“It is a good cause as we don’t always look after ourselves. As a team it shows we’re all supportive of mental health issues and other issues that men experience,” Chris said.
“It’s good for the depot and a bit of a laugh too.”
A $1,000 target has been set as a team and so far, the Essential Energy boys have raised $1,240.
Extra credit goes to Ronald Nelligan from the Essential Energy Cowra depot who jumped onboard the Harden team too, as he was looking to do it with a group.
Most donations have come from family and friends and a little advertising on Facebook has helped the group go a long way.
And with the month and fundraiser nearly wrapped up, Kai said his new look could be permanent.
“My wife Karen loves my new look and pardon the pun, but it’s grown on her,” he joked.
“Movember was something for a fun cause and some fun could turn into a permanent new look for me.”
There are over six million Movember participants since it began in 2003 in Australia.
Participants come from parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, the charity organisation is aiming to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent by 2030.
Christopher Tan
