The Merino Polo goes pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Network Australia

WA’s favourite wool-made polo shirts have gone pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Network Australia after their creator was inspired by a friend’s battle with breast cancer. Steve Noa — the founder of The Merino Polo — this month unveiled a special edition of his lightweight woollen shirts to raise money for what he said was an extremely worthy cause. With 1200 male and female shirts available, $10 from each sale will be donated directly to the Breast Cancer Network Australia to fund the care, treatment and support of those diagnosed with breast cancer nationwide. The shirts were inspired by a discussion with well-known agriculture industry figure Alysia Kepert, who faced her own breast cancer battle. Mr Noa said the pair started discussions about a year ago, with the breast cancer survivor and “lover of wool” talking him into the design and release. The hot pink colour comes about two years after he founded The Merino Polo label and business. “We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer . . . I have lots of friends who have,” Mr Noa said. “I thought ‘what a great cause’ and it was also a great chance to bring out a range of pink shirts.” The shirts have proved popular already, with a group of four women from the Darkan and Kojonup areas buying the long-sleeved version pink shirts to wear on WA’s Coastrek walk along the Cape to Cape Track to raise funds for the Heart Foundation. Mr Noa used his experience of 30 years in the wool industry to launch the Woolmark-certified Merino wool polo shirts in 2021, which have proved a huge success after being bought by businesses, clubs and individuals as an alternative to synthetic polo shirts. “The workplace as we know it has changed dramatically,” Mr Noa said. “Corporate and business wear has altered direction in a much more relaxed way. Sure, it’s not good for the wool suit market but the versatility of wool can see our great fibre adapt and succeed in this new world.” The release of the shirts was at the tail end of breast cancer month in October and they are the latest addition to the eight-colour range. The shirts cost $68 for a short-sleeve version and $78 for a long sleeve. Visit themerinopolo.com.au