This month, hundreds of well-dressed motorcyclists will ride through Newcastle. Turning heads and making a statement for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Originating in Sydney, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is now a global movement. Starting conversations and breaking the stigma around men’s health and prostate cancer.

Australia is home to dozens of fundraisers and charity events targeted at men. Besides DGR, the most recognisable include Black Dog Ride, Walk For Him, and The Long Ride. Participants grow moustaches, count their steps, and ride across the country to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. These events give men the opportunity to connect with like-minded people through shared interests and activities.

For Newcastle rider Branden Henderson, it was the style of the DGR that initially caught his attention. “The vintage motorcycles, dapper attire, tweed, suspenders, moustaches, it was just a good vibe,” he said. But it’s the purpose and causes behind it that keep him coming back. “Men’s health and prostate cancer — it just drew me in. And the community as well.” Since its 2012 debut, DGR has raised 80 million Australian dollars. It’s official charity partner Movember distributes these funds to men’s health and prostate cancer initiatives around the world.

Despite these campaign efforts, advocates are pushing for more to be done.

According to the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF), men die five years younger than women from preventable causes.

Around 50 men on average per day. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 65, with young males accounting for 80% of recorded suicides. Men also make up 80% of road and alcohol related deaths, and 95% of workplace fatalities. A 2024 report by Movember stated that the government spent 10.7 billion dollars in 2023 treating preventable diseases in men.

Dana Wallace Campbell, WA General Manager for The Hospital Research Foundation Group, shared her concerns with The West Australian Newspaper. While small improvements are made each year, men are still reluctant to seek help and talk about how they are feeling. She believes many also lack the skills or tools to do so. Cultural expectations around masculinity often discourage men from expressing vulnerability. This prevents them from speaking up or getting help, even when their health is at stake.

While raising awareness and money for men’s health is important, it’s not enough on its own. A public opinion survey found that 80% of Australians want to see more government funding allocated to men’s health. Despite this, an analysis by the AMHF observed that women’s health received 98% of government allocated funding.

Since 2022, the government invested less than 2% of funding into improving men’s health initiatives.

Advocates aren’t looking for money to be taken away from women’s health. Instead, they believe a ‘fair share’ approach to government funding is well overdue.

There needs to be a long-term cultural shift in the way men think and deal with their health. Such as seeking help when they need it, going to the doctor more, and being open to talk about their health with others. Newcastle ride host Stephen Meek says there is more to the DGR than old bikes and fancy suits.

“The underlying theme is men’s health, and a big part of it is those that have had issues talking about those issues.”

The importance of open communication hit close to home for Stephen two years ago. With a family history of prostate cancer, regular check-ups are now part of his annual routine. In late 2023, he received some alarming test results. After six months of appointments, tests, and biopsies, he was finally given the all clear. Inspired by a friend who underwent a radical prostatectomy, he decided to blog his experience. Detailing each step of the process, in hopes of minimising the fear of the unknown for other men.

“There’s a big focus on educating people,” he says. “It’s a monitoring thing­­­ — a blood test these days. If something looks off the rails, then there’s more steps to take, which is what happened to me.”

Though these events get people talking, the real impact comes once it’s all over. When men check in on each other, make that doctors appointment, and open up about what’s really going on. “It’s a process,” says Stephen, “and people need to be aware of that. You can spread that awareness, just by a simple conversation over a cup of coffee, and that’s fantastic.”