Movember goes big in the Australian outback to kick off 2026 campaign
Movember has launched its annual fundraiser on a spectacular scale: a giant moustache built into the Australian outback landscape at Mt Gipps Station, outside Broken Hill. It’s an SOS for men’s health, and we’re calling on the International Space Station to photograph it. But the real ask is for you: make a Growmitment for men’s health.
Movember 2026 is officially here, and we’ve kicked it off in a big way.
Meet the Big Red Mo. It’s been built into the landscape at Mt Gipps Station, about 40 minutes out of Broken Hill in New South Wales and it measures 180 metres wide.
The Big Red Mo, built into the landscape at Mt Gipps Station near Broken Hill, measures 180 metres wide. It's big enough to be seen from orbit.
It’s how we launched our annual campaign in Australia this year, but it’s also an SOS for men’s health. At this size, the Mo can really only be taken in from above...so Houston, we have a favour to ask.
We’re calling on the crew of the International Space Station to become our official high-altitude photographers and capture the Big Red Mo from orbit. A photo from up there would show the Mo in all its glory and get people around the world talking about men’s health.
Comedian Luke McGregor was on hand to help shift the final mounds of dirt and shave down alongside Broken Hill local, Brendan Cullen.
Broken Hill local Brendan Cullen and Comedian Luke McGregor helped finish the Big Red Mo ahead of this year’s campaign launch.
“Nothing raises awareness quite like something that’s visible from space,” said Luke.
“My message to the International Space Station is ‘When you’ve got a second, obviously, because you guys do really amazing work up there... if you could please take a photo of it? Because we don’t know anyone with a big enough ladder’.”
Brendan, who swam the English Channel to raise awareness for men’s mental health, said it was “surreal” to have Movember descend on his hometown.
“To be involved in this is something that I never thought I’d be able to do... to be invited is really extraordinary.
“What a way to be able to tell the story about Movember and put it in front and centre of people’s minds and create conversations.”
Luke McGregor and Brendan Cullen shift the final mounds of dirt to complete the Big Red Mo.
He hopes the Big Red Mo gets the world talking.
“This is a loud prompt to those individuals out there that need to put their hand up and ask for help and if they do that, and I’ve done that myself, what you’ll find is people will surround you and they’ll help you.
“They’ll help you in a way you never thought was possible.
“So, find the courage to take the first step... that's the most important thing to do.”
Movember’s APAC Country Director Charlene Brennan revealed the reason why the outback was chosen as the scene of this year’s campaign launch.
“Suicide rates are twice as high in regional and remote areas of Australia,” she said.
“The Big Red Mo spotlights the barriers men face in regional and remote areas when they seek support and help.”
Movember’s APAC Country Director Charlene Brennan shares why this year’s campaign launched in the outback.
The Mo gets your attention. But the mission is a lot bigger than our impressively sculpted mound of dirt.
In Australia men are dying, on average, four years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. Our goal is to change that, and by supporting our campaign this year you’ll help to raise awareness, and fund our evidence-backed health prevention programs.
So if the Big Red Mo turns up in your feed, join the mission: tag the International Space Station via @iss on Instagram and @Space_Station on X and ask the crew to snap it. The more people who share and tag, the harder this Mo will be to miss.
But we also hope you’ll make a Growmitment this month.
“You can grow a Mo, you can move, you can host an event, you can donate, you can check in on a mate... there are so many ways,” said Charlene.
Movember is calling on the crew of the International Space Station to photograph the Big Red Mo from above and get the world talking.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In an emergency, call 000.
Full list of support services here
MAKE A GROWMITMENT – Challenge a friend. Grow together. Change men’s health.
Sign up for Movember here
