Movember Mining Challenge 2023: Thank you for a mammoth year
The annual Movember Mining Challenge brought the mining industry together once again to dig deep for Australia’s most valuable resource, the moustache. This year's crew of over 360 teams and 2,010 individuals raised over AUD $1.4 million for men’s health (and counting). These funds will have a great impact on groundbreaking men’s health projects across mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Zarne Cleary, Health Principal at BHP, said: "I love the ethos of Movember, and how it sparks conversations about men’s health concerns that are often overlooked."
Zarne led the coordination of BHP's second annual Movember Global Relay event, a 24/7 relay across its global operations with 168 hours of continuous Movement. “The Move element that BHP adopts each year gives us all an opportunity to get involved, raise money and feel the benefit of maintaining your physical and psychological health,” said Zarne.
" I love the ethos of Movember, and how it sparks conversations about men’s health concerns that are often overlooked. "
Other hairy activities at BHP this Movember included a "Mo and Mullet Shave Off" at BHP's Olympic Dam and the annual moustache-donned Perth office lighting up the Perth skyline.
The top fundraising teams for the 2023 Movember Mining Challenge were:
- BHP Minerals Australia - $349,000
- Rio Tinto Australia - $202,000
- Woodside - $74,000
- Glencore - $64,000
- Anglo American - $59,000
With around four fifths of the mining industry being male, the connection to Movember is a “no brainer” for many of our fundraisers, like Rio Tinto's Chris Stewart. The 13-year Mo Bro hosted an annual golf day and auction in his local community of Karratha, Western Australia. “It's just gone from strength to strength,” said Chris. “It's a team effort, it's not just me. I'm pretty lucky to have businesses who donate for a good cause. Everyone behind me gets in and supports me, it was a pretty cool day.”
Chris took out this year's top individual fundraiser for the Movember Mining Challenge, raising over $30,000.
The strides made, funds raised, and lives changed would not be possible without the incredible efforts from the mining community. You have all contributed to something big, made a huge impact, and should be proud of what you have achieved. To learn more about the Movember Mining Challenge and get involved in 2024, visit the Movember Mining Challenge.