Tyler Brodie, a Benalla local, has been running Movember fundraisers for nearly a decade, inspired by his personal experiences with mental health struggles following the loss of his best friend in 2013.
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“Growing a mo for me is easy because, as my nan, Lyn Sargood, always used to tell me, I have very good mo-growing genetics from my pop, Sargie, and my dad, Brodes,” Tyler said.
"My younger brother Conor also grows a mo in support of me.”
Tyler first got involved with Movember after a mate who had also lost a best friend to suicide suggested he join in.
“I lost my best mate in 2013, and then, of course, 2013 to 2014 was a pretty tough year,” Tyler said.
“I went to counselling, and (…) the bloke that I was talking to was doing Movember because he lost his best mate as well.
“We were talking, and he goes, ‘Here’s what Movember stands for, and here’s how you can raise money.’”
Tyler’s Movember journey began with a simple sausage sizzle outside Benalla’s Woolworths, inspired by the popular Bunnings barbecues. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he adapted the single-day barbecue event to month-long raffles, which offered more fundraising opportunities.
Local businesses such as Rose City Mowers and BWS, rallied behind him, helping him raise $4650 last year — bringing his nine-year total to over $15,000.
“It’s the biggest prize pool I’ve had (this year),” Tyler said.
“This year I’m hoping to raise $5000.”
The $3000 prize pool includes a self-propelled electric mower, vouchers from local favourites such as Burke’s Bakery, and custom merchandise such as hats and stubby holders — all aimed at sparking conversations about mental health.
Tyler emphasises that his mission goes beyond raising funds — it’s about starting conversations and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. He even brings an extra chair to each event, inviting people to sit down and share their stories, which has been one of the highlights of his journey.
“I’ve had people sit down and talk about their own mental health journeys or those of loved ones lost to suicide,” he said.
Tyler points people towards resources such as Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute.
Upcoming events include Tyler’s familiar presence at Benalla Woolworths on November 9 and a stall at Benalla festival ‘A Day in the Gardens’ on November 10.
As he continues his efforts to raise awareness, Tyler hopes to remind the community that “it’s okay to speak up”.
Raffle tickets, priced at $5 each or three for $10, are also available in Shepparton at Euro Garages Shepparton East (Shepp Marketplace), Intersport Shepparton, as well as in Benalla at Rose City Mowers and Terry White ChemMart.
You can also purchase tickets and merchandise by messaging Tyler through T-BRO’s Movember on Facebook or @tbrosmovember on Instagram.
Get involved in the Movember raffle, with prizes worth $3000.
