Dr Alastair Bush, a British Army doctor from Dorset, has been crowned with the title of best international mullet at the World Mullet Championships here in Australia. 

Driven by the lockdown hair crisis of 2021 when barber shops were closed due to Covid restrictions, and inspired by his nephew’s mullet, the 45-year-old medic  embarked on a two-year mission to grow the most glorious mullet known to man. His aim was for his tressess to take him to the far reaches of New South Wales, where the World Mullet Championships awaited.

In February, Dr Bush flew to the tiny town of Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley where one of the heats of the competition was held. He won and was invited back to take part in the grand final, which was held in Hunter Valley on December 2nd. 

Dr Bush’s mullet, cultivated with love during those scissor-less months, became a fundraising beacon for Testicular Cancer UK.

He said: ”I work as a civilian GP for the army and many of my patients are in the at-risk age group for developing testicular cancer. Sadly, this disease is becoming more common.”

He has been raising funds for the cancer charity at justgiving.com and said on his fundraising page: “The Aussies may have retained the Ashes but 2023 is going to be the year that the UK beats them in the arena of competitive mullet growing.

“I have been growing my mullet since 2021 with the intention of winning the international mullet championships at Mulletfest in Australia. This is widely considered to be the Everest of the competitive mullet growing world.”

The eccentricity of Mulletfest is renowned worldwide. Dr Bush’s ‘do was judged not only for its follicular finesse but also for the overall presentation and stage presence. 

Mulletfest, which began in 2018 in Kurri Kurri, attracts thousands of people from around the world each year. Mulletfest honours the best Mullet cuts in various styles and categories, including ‘everyday’, ‘grubby’, ‘ranga’ (red hair), ‘vintage’, ‘extreme’, ‘international’ and ‘junior’. 

Heats were held throughout 2023 across Australia, from Canberra to Perth, and from Rockhampton to Alice Springs. 

Dr Bush said that if he won the competition, he would cut his hair to short back and sides, and had very special plans for what to do with his lopped off mullet. 

He said: “As a Pom, beating the Aussies at mullet growing would feel like fitting retribution for the 1882 ashes series. Should I win this competition, I plan on burning my mullet and returning it to them in an urn.”

The doctor, now a mullet maestro, reflecting on his win, declared: “It’s been a fun day, so much going on, and I’ve met some amazing people and seen some amazing haircuts.”

As he proudly parades his follicular masterpiece, Dr Alastair Bush stands as a beacon of humour, charity, and business in the front, party in the back. 

To learn more about Dr Bush’s charity, go to: www.testicularcanceruk.com/testicular-cancer-mission

To learn more about Mulletfest, go to www.mulletfest.com.au