JEFF Kennett and dairy farmer Bill Barry have one thing in common - they've just endured one of itchiest months of their lives.

Mr Barry and Mr Kennett are just two of the 129,000 Australian Movember participants who helped to raise more than $21 million for men's health during November.

Mr Barry and 28 mates _ mostly farmers from the small town of Loch in south Gippsland _ raised $3000 in their fourth year of Movember, an international event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer and anxiety and depression in men.

In all, the growing group, headed by Mr Barry, has raised more than $10,000 over four years, an effort they hope will inspire more men to see their doctor for regular health checks.

"It's about raising awareness and getting people to take notice and go get themselves checked out,'' Mr Barry said.

The group gathered at The Royal Hotel in Loch on Sunday to auction goods donated by the community and rattle tins for the cause.

"It's something that everyone could get involved in and a bit of fun between mates ... I started with the big handlebars but this year have gone for the short moustache,'' Mr Barry said.

Last year, Movember raised more than $21 million in Australia alone - a record that looks likely to topple this year, event organisers say.

"We've been blown away by the support we've received and its helped us achieve our most successful year to date in terms of registrations; and hopefully in terms of fundraising,'' Movember spokesman Jim Slattery said.

The Movember Foundation and its men's health partners, beyondblue; the national depression initiative and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, will this year put the money to research and improving services dedicated to reaching men in need.

"I want to personally thank all of those Australian males, who like me have just had the itchiest month of their life.
Beyondblue's share will be expended on research and the delivery of important services to prevent and assist men suffering from anxiety and depression,'' Mr Kennett said.

PCFA chief executive officer Andrew Giles said their share of the money go to 57 prostate cancer research grants around the country, benefiting metropolitan, rural and regional centres.

"By getting into the Mo spirit, you have really made a difference to the lives of men already living with prostate cancer and the 20,000 Australian men that are estimated to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone,'' Mr Giles said.