Love them or hate them, it's Movember - moustaches are growing on the faces of men across the state to raise awareness, and funds, for issues surrounding men's health, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Hillwood Berries general manager Simon Dornauf said members of his staff have completed Movember in the past, but they hadn't taken part as a team.

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"It's the first time, and I don't think it'll be the last," he said.

"There's nine of us in the group all taking part. Some of us had facial hair, beards and all before - others are just starting to grow a mo."

Mr Dornauf said the idea to complete Movember as a team rather than individuals came about at the end of October.

"It came about as a bit of a joke to be honest," he said.

"But then it became a team building exercise. The boys, we're all having a bit of a laugh, growing a moustache and raising some money all at the same time.

Mr Dornauf said that while none of the team were directly impacted by prostate or testicular cancer, it was a cause still close to their hearts.

"Prostate cancer is the biggest killer of men in terms of cancer, so it is important," he said.

"It is a bit of fun, light-hearted, but with a serious message.

"It's fun for the farm and morale boosting for the guys, and a laugh as to who can grow the best mo."

Hillwood Berries is a family business, run by the Dornaufs, so there's no surprise that some of the biggest "competition" is between Simon and brother Marcus, who works as farm manager.

Movember has special meaning for Marcus.

"While I am lucky and don't have a direct connection, I know people who do," he said.

"I've had a friend take his life from mental health issues, so that's close to my heart, but it isn't the sole reason for doing it.

"I'm doing Movember to raise money, because it's a good thing to do.

"It's a good cause, and it's something we can do as a team and build camaraderie before the berry season kicks in."

The brothers said there was a little bit of "friendly" competition between the two about how they were travelling - but with raising money, not growing a moustache.

"We're one-all - I'm growing the better moustache and he's [Simon] making the most money," Marcus said.

"My moustache is missing in action - I've got some blonde coming through, but maybe it'll turn around by the end of the month," Simon said.

Both brothers agree that whoever raises the most money will be the real winner. They said their families had interesting responses on November 1.

"Before this, I've been running a beard for the last few years," Simon said.

"I have a 21-month-old and he had a bit of a weird look the morning that I woke up and shaved it off - almost like he was trying to figure out who I was."

"My wife hadn't seen me clean-shaven for about three or four years," added Marcus.

"Then she did, and I started growing a moustache - so she didn't really win.

"Maybe she'll win on December 1 when and if I shave it off, we'll see.

"It's pretty fun, we come in each day and see how we're all growing - and Jason isn't sprouting too well so we help him count his hairs."

It's the first time that Jason Lin has taken part in Movember.

"I'm not having much luck," he said.

"It's a really good team here at Hillwood, and we work as a team, so when my boss Marcus asked if I was happy to join the team I said why not.

"It'll be interesting to see what it'll look like in the future. My wife is a bit cranky - if I try and kiss her she isn't very happy with that."

Mr Lin said it was an experience he didn't want to miss out on.

"I wanted to do this to help people, to give it a go and to raise money," he said.

"I've promised my wife that after November I'll shave it off.

"It's been a good bonding experience."

Chris Ankin shaved off the goatee he'd been growing for four years for the cause - to the delight of his coworkers.

"I guess I came to a point and realised what a worthwhile cause this was," he said.

"I approached a few people across the farm to see how much money I could raise if I shaved it off - my boss was happy enough to donate $100 to the cause so I thought it was a good opportunity.

"At the end of the day, I'm just happy to support a worthy cause."

So far, the Hillwood team has raised more than $1800 with the goal of raising $2500 before the end of November.

Fundraising efforts so far have been in-house, with the Dornaufs now taking the cause to their farmgate cafe.

On the weekend of Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, as well as Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, Hillwood Berries are donating $1 from every one kilogram punnet of berries sold.

"It's something small, but we're hoping people will get behind the cause," Simon said.

Movember global director of mental health and suicide prevention Brendan Maher said there was evidence that strong social connections could have a protective effect against poor mental health.

"That's why we ask men to spend quality time with their friends and reach out and speak to someone if they are struggling," he said.

"It's extremely encouraging to see that our fundraising community have taken this message on board, especially during the uncertain times we're living in."

To donate to the Hillwood Movember team, visit https://au.movember.com/team/2386121.

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