INXS rockstar Kirk Pengilly feels a ‘new sensation’ for Movember

Kirk Pengilly is probably best known for his role in INXS, but his iconic moustache comes pretty close.

Today, Pengilly, 58, shaved his mo’ for a good cause in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane, and said he feels like a new man.

“It’s about getting men to talk about their health, and be open about their issues,” he said.

Pengilly underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer last year, and so feels aligned with the Movember Foundation’s men’s health cause.

Tomorrow marks the official beginning of Movember – a fundraiser that involves thousands of men growing moustaches to raise funds for suicide prevention, mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Since it began 2003, the event has raised more than $750 million.

Co-founder Adam Garone said he is overwhelmed how much the fundraiser has grown since it started in Melbourne.

“We just wanted to do something with the power of conversation. We were inspired by the women around us and all they were doing for causes like breast cancer, and we thought there’s nothing like that for men’s health,” he said.

“If you include this year’s campaign, we will have raised over 800 million dollars for men’s health, so we’re the biggest organisation in the world to focus on this.”

The foundation has also had a global impact, with similar initiatives in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, South Africa and other countries.

And while it’s about men’s health, a growing number of ‘Mo Sistas’ have also joined the cause.

“[Getting women involved] was part of the reason why we added the MOVE challenge. It’s about creating a physical challenge over the course of a month,” Mr Garone said.

“Challenge the men in your life to match your MOVE – it could be walking every day, or running or swimming…”

A clean-shaven Pengilly said losing his moustache again this year was refreshing, and would not affect his well-crafted look in the long term.

“I think it’d be worse if I lost my glasses than my moustache, but it’s a great cause and I’m more than happy to do it either way,” he said.