Marking hair-raising milestone

Published 5:00am 23 March 2023

The Albany Creek community raised more than $7000 for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave on Friday night.

Ten people had their heads shaved and seven had their hair coloured at the event at Albany Creek Tavern to mark the 25^th anniversary of the annual fundraiser.

The money raised will go towards research and patient support services for people living with a blood cancer or related blood disease.

Convenor Angela Ferguson thanked the Albany Creek Tavern Social Club, Albany Creek Apex Club, and hairdressers – Arren and Jane from Hairologists and Rachael from Albany Creek Hair Directions, who helped make the shave event a resounding success.

Albany Creek Leukaemia Branch member Kaye Fox paid tribute to her daughter Julia, who died 25 years ago, and former ‘shavee’ Shae Kennedy who passed away recently.

She also detailed the history of the event and its connection with the Albany Creek community.

“Albany Creek Branch’s first shave was in May, 2001, just two months after the branch was formed. With the huge support and enthusiasm of the Apex Club (their national project involved the Leukaemia Foundation), the Pine Rivers Shire Council and Quest Newspapers, we raised $46,000 in six weeks,” she recalled.

“Amongst the 96 participants (was) Councillor Graeme Ashworth (who) had grown a ponytail to be severed by the Mayor before being shaved. Councillor Mike Charlton began a long association with us as the compere of our shaves over many years.

“In the early years, we held Friday night shaves here in the public bar with many patrons joining in as the evening progressed and ending up bald after a rally around the bar for donations.”

Kaye said a highlight of the annual event was in 2005 when Mayor Yvonne Chapman had her hair shaved at Westfield Strathpine.

“With the massive support from Council and community, we raised $123,000, most of which was directed to new accommodation for patients and their families, near QEII Hospital,” she said.

In thanking everyone for their support, Kaye said: “we celebrate with all the two million Aussies who have shaved and shed 39,000 kgs of hair, during its 25 years”.