Every November, moustaches start appearing across the country. Behind the facial hair is one of the most important men’s health movements in the world. We’ve been supporting Movember since 2017, it’s a cause close to our hearts and one we love getting involved with.
What is Movember?
Movember began in Melbourne in 2003 as a small group of mates growing moustaches to start a conversation about men’s health. It has since grown into a global charity with millions of participants. It focuses on three areas: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
Why It Matters
Men are more likely to put off seeing a health professional, less likely to talk about how they’re really going, and more likely to die earlier than women from largely preventable causes. In Australia, around three in four suicides are men, and prostate cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the country.
Movember gets men talking, funds research and supports programs that make a difference, and that’s why we want to be part of it.
Men’s Health and Exercise Physiology
At Atrium, we see every day how much movement can change health outcomes. Exercise is a well-supported part of managing many of the conditions Movember targets:
Mental health: regular exercise helps reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improves sleep and builds resilience.
Cancer care: exercise helps manage treatment side effects such as fatigue, muscle loss and reduced bone density, and supports recovery and quality of life. This includes men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Prevention: staying active lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and many other chronic conditions that affect men’s long-term health.
We host the Plum Program Community Walk every Friday: a support group for men going through or recovering from prostate cancer. The program is not just limited to those with prostate cancer, however, and anyone is welcome to join. As a community, we can stand tall and support each other through life’s various challenges.
How We’re Getting Involved in 2026
Join us at parkrun, New Farm – 21 November
The aubergine army is running again at New Farm parkrun on Saturday 21 November. Run, jog, walk or bring the family and the dog. It’s free, it’s friendly and everyone is welcome. Come say hi, grab a coffee afterwards and help cheer us on.
Rob takes on Queenstown, in an eggplant costume!
Rob is running the Queenstown Marathon on Saturday 14 November, and in true Movember spirit, he’ll be doing all 42.2km dressed as an eggplant. Yes, really. It’s a big effort for a cause that matters, and we couldn’t be prouder (or more entertained). Follow along on our socials for training updates and, hopefully, some very sweaty eggplant photos.
How You Can Help
You don’t need to grow a moustache or run a marathon to make a difference.
Donate. Every dollar goes towards men’s health research and support programs.
Join us. parkrun happens on Saturday 21 November.
Start a conversation. Check in with the men in your life. A simple “how are you really going?” can mean more than you’d think.
Get moving. If you’re a man (or love one) who’s been putting off getting a health check or starting an exercise routine, now’s a great time. Our team is here to help.
References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026). Suicide and intentional self-harm.
Singh B, Olds T, Curtis R, et al. (2023). Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving depression, anxiety and distress: an overview of systematic reviews. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(18).
