By Tyler Wright
Bright colours, the smell of hairspray and the buzzing sound of razors will take over Emerald Secondary College on Friday 17 March as students and staff have their hair shaved, cut and coloured as part of the World’s Greatest Shave.
Year 12 student Hollie Kee has wanted to participate in the national event raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation since she was 10 years old, after seeing the impact skin cancer has had on her family.
“Skin cancer runs in my family and I have a very high risk of getting it,” Ms Kee said.
“My grandpa was diagnosed with a couple of types of cancer at once, so it’s always been a part of my life.”
This year, she will finally have the chance to have her hair chopped off.
“It will feel surreal for the first few days and then after that I’ll be like ‘oh, my God, I have no hair’ and I’ll be freaking out, but I know I’ll have my mates to go to…because everyone’s been really supportive of this choice.
“This has been a long time coming for me…I’m really excited for it.”
English and drama teacher Peter McKenzie will also be cutting his locks for the cause.
“I’m just worried my hair is not going to grow back because I haven’t had it cut for four years, so has it been thinning and I just don’t know?” Mr Mckenzie said.
“If a students’ parent, for instance, is dealing with cancer or any other illness, that’s a big deal; and knowing that there’s people around them that are actually acknowledging [that] can be really, really important.”
Wellbeing coordinator Felicity Wooden said the event is a great way for students and staff to be “able to do something for someone else that’s easy, but a very brave thing to do”.
“They can raise a lot of money and understand that their little action can make a huge difference in someone else’s life,” Ms Wooden said.
The school is attempting to raise $3,000 through the event, with a sausage sizzle also running on the day.
Local hairdressers and VET beauty students will help give participants their new look, with the school community able to have their very own strip of coloured hair with a dollar donation.
Attendees will also be able to have their hair shaved off for $5.
“It’s also bringing in the wider community, parents and families and carers, small businesses, nearby businesses that are wanting to donate,” English teacher Amy Donders said.
Those who participate will also receive free Emerald beanie or free Emerald cap.
