As Griffith makes its way through the month of November more than a few gentlemen are making their way about town sporting previously un-attempted facial hair for Movember.

The team at Serafin Machinery and Serafin Ag Pro are no exception, with 12 employees carefully cultivating their moustaches for the cause.

While there was a fair amount of ribbing between the men in the office on Wednesday, no amount of joking could have hidden the fact that they were serious about the cause they were supporting.

“This is a really important cause for us,” Kevin Bertacco said.

“We have a lot of farmers come in and all men need to see the signs of depression and other elements of men’s health and be aware of them.”

The facts support him, men experience worse long-term health than women and die on average six years earlier, in the next 15 years prostate cancer rates will double while testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the past 50 years and three quarters of all suicides are men, according to the Movember foundation.

Working in a rural industry and area the men at Serafin said they understood well the barriers some men faced in seeking help.

“We just want to raise awareness,” Mr Bertaccos said.

“The signs are all there, just for men to be aware and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” 

The team of 12 participating in Movember have already raised $2,300 to be donated.

“It was a bit of a race to see who could raise the most in the beginning,” marketing manager Oumi Karenga-Hewitt said.

“Hopefully we can have a final push to hit our aim of $3000 before we are through.

But the men insisted the competition stopped with funds – not extending to moustache growing ability.

“I don’t know how much of it is competition, maybe more admiration,” Michael Dotta said.

“Mine looks like my eyebrows have slipped down for a drink, but some of the boys have grown really good moustaches.”