A lifetime of long hair cut for a cause

Going bald had never been part of the plan for Roger Cree, who had worn his hair long for more than 50 years.

“I’ve always had long hair. It’s always been at least over my ears since I left school,” he said.

Just before Christmas, Cree’s sister-in-law’s great nephew, Cooper, was diagnosed with blood cancer. At only 12, he was flown from Cobram to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

In the weeks that followed, Cree began to see ads online for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.

“I thought, it’s only hair, let’s see what we can do,” Cree said, choosing 27 March to shave his head and beard.

His original fundraising goal was $2,000, but he quickly passed it and has now raised more than $3,600 for blood cancer research.

“Initially I said, if I get $1,000, I’ll take the beard off, if I get between one and two [thousand] I’ll take the ponytail off, and then if I get over two, I’ll take it all off,” Cree said.

“I’ve got over three, and I just can’t believe it.”

Cree said he was especially moved by donations from Cooper’s own family.

“Even his family donated, and I just thought, I’m supposed to be doing this to help you,” he said.

The St Leonards Men’s Shed hosted the shave last week. Cree had been involved with the group even before moving to St Leonards in September last year, and many members contributed to the fundraiser.

On the day, Lachlan Campbell from Neville Richards Real Estate auctioned off the chance to shave Cree’s hair and beard, with the clippers guided by Olivia and Dominic Spiller from Cutter Street Barbershop.

Campbell said he enjoys running charity auctions for community fundraisers.

“It’s just my little way to give a little bit of help back to the community,” he said.

Olivia Spiller said events like these are a powerful way for locals to connect.

“It’s a lovely thing for people to get together and do something together for a good cause,” she said.

Donations can still be made at worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/rogercree/2026