Gentlemen, prepare your beards: the hunt to find Canberra's best is about to begin

Canberra’s “a beard place”, according to the owner of the King O’Malley’s Irish Pub in Civic.

“I think Canberra’s really up there – probably one of the best in Australia, but we’ve also got the advantage of the colder climate.”

Peter Barclay is once again preparing to host the annual Beard Competition at his pub on City Walk, and there’s a whopper to beat.

John Ainley technically lives in Sydney, but given he regularly commutes to Canberra for work and, according to Peter, “can’t wait to move back to Canberra”, we’ll claim him.

At any rate, John wooed the judges at last year’s competition with the “spectacular length” and “very thick moustache” of his beard. His photo even hangs on the pub wall. And now he’s been appointed judge of this year’s beards.

“We’re looking for the best beard,” Peter says.

“Sometimes that’s the bushiest beard, or the most styled beard – the one that just comes together and stands out and impresses the people.”

This carries winnings of $500 cash, and there are also prizes for the longest beard – easy enough to ascertain with a tape measure – the fullest beard and the sharpest beard.

“Every beard is different – hair grows in a different way, and every person is unique – and that’s why the competition is so much fun, too; it brings out the camaraderie between blokes.”

The competition kicked off in 2012, inspired by the pub’s namesake – early 20th-century parliamentarian King O’Malley.

In his two stints as Minister for Home Affairs (1910 to 1913, and 1915 to 16), the American-born Australian played a big part in the development of Canberra and was the one to sign off on Walter Burley Griffin as the winner of the international design competition for the capital’s design.

He was also known for sporting a thick beard his entire adult life.

“His electorate was in Tasmania, and he won over all the miners there who really resonated with him, including his beard,” Peter says.

Over the years, the competition has also served as a fundraising opportunity for various charities – most recently, Skin Check Champions. A van parks up out the front of the pub and offers men free and private skin checks for possible signs of cancer.

“The message behind the competition is to look after your skin – the beard will give you a bit of protection, but look after your nose, your ears, and if you’re a bit ‘follicly’ challenged on the head like me, make sure you wear a cap and sunblock.”

All up, 25 men underwent the skin check last year, and just as well for some of them.

“A number were given the heads-up that they better investigate their skin, and in fact, within weeks, one of the chaps was having major skin surgery to remove a pretty nasty lump from his head.”

Peter also invites other “bearded business owners” to set up stalls outside the front of the pub to create a sort of market feel.

In case you’re wondering, yes, Peter has a beard.

“I’ve been sporting it for a few years, particularly inspired by some of the previous winners,” he says.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be in the prize-winning stage, but it’s certainly handy over the Canberra winter. The main thing is to keep it just like your hair on your head – nice and clean with regular shampooing and a bit of conditioner, and you can always throw in a bit of beard oil.”

The Beard Competition will be held at King O’Malley’s Irish Pub on Thursday, 12 September, with judging from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Visit King O’Malley’s for more information.