South Australia Police (SAPOL) staff united with other first responders this morning to discuss men's health as part of 'Movember' awareness.
Uniformed personnel sprouting various 'staches filled the South Australian Emergency Services Sector (ESS) headquarters carpark at Keswick to help raise awareness of the biggest health issues for men, including mental health and suicide, along with prostate and testicular cancer.
Throughout November, volunteers and staff of SAPOL, the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS), South Australian State Emergency Service (SES), South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS), South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) and the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) have once again joined a friendly competition to raise funds for a good cause.
As part of this morning's gathering, Moe's Barber Lounge prepared faces for the mo-growing season by giving out free shaves, followed by a networking barbecue.
CFS State Training Officer Robin Geytenbeek also bravely shared his own prostate cancer diagnosis with today's crowd, and urged those present to advocate for their own health and educate themselves on the disease.
Assistant Commissioner Stuart McLean joined other emergency service chiefs at the event and thanked staff across all organisations for "taking time off the tools" to talk about men's health.
"Working in emergency services can be challenging, and Movember provides a great opportunity to come together with other first responders to have important conversations," he said.
"While it's always nice to catch up with people across different agencies, this campaign offers a timely reminder to reach out for help when you need it."
Last year, SAPOL's Movember team raised more than $14,000 and donations for 2024 are open through the Movember website.
Joining in on this morning's fun, police horses Flinders and Xennon joined police dog Varli on the ESS lawn to pose for photos, along with mascots 'POCU' from the Police Credit Union, 'Smokey' the koala from CFS, and Paddy Platypus from SES.
Sprouting his own symbolic mo, Assistant Commissioner McLean encouraged others to get on board and help represent 'healthier men, in a healthier world'.
"It was great to see staff from various employee assistance sections also present to offer advice and support," he added.
"It is essential we grow our knowledge and understanding of services available, and like in times of emergency, how we can work better together to raise important awareness."
Head to movember.com for more information on men's health, fundraising ideas, and support.
Who wore it better? Assistant Commissioner Stuart McLean with Mounted Operations Unit members Acting Sergeant Thomas on police horse Flinders and Brevet Sergeant Renee on police horse Xennon at the Movember event on Friday 8 November.
South Australia Police Mounted Operations Unit members Acting Sergeant Thomas on police horse Flinders and Brevet Sergeant Renee on police horse Xennon joining POCU, Paddy and Smokey to raise men's health awareness as part of Movember on Friday 8 November.
