A STUDENT'S efforts to support the research that has maintained his mother's quality of life while she has undergone treatment for cancer, has resulted in $21,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
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Mitchell Gardner, 23, of Hamilton announced on social media three weeks ago that he would be cutting off his luscious locks in order to raise money for the foundation and show support for his mother, Narelle, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer in October, last year.
A new drug, that targets some forms of metastatic breast cancer, has so far halted the progression of her cancer.
On Saturday, Mr Gardner cut off his hair at the Greenroof Hotel, raising around $6000 on that day alone.
"It was awesome. We had a massive crowd and we ended up raising $21,000," Mr Gardner said.
"My mum had fantastic day. All my friends introduced themselves to her, it was really good."
We had a massive crowd and we ended up raising $21,000
- Mitchell Gardner
Mr Gardner, who is also a fitness trainer and bartender, said he was enjoying his new, slick look.
"It's a bit cold, but it's much less hassle in the shower."
Not with a bang
Warners Bay residents have taken to newfangled social media pages to reminisce about the days gone by when the Queen's birthday (Victoria's) was celebrated on May 24 and, most importantly, was marked with a "cracker night" at the lakeside suburb, featuring fireworks and bonfires.
The celebration, called Empire Day, had completely disappeared from Australia's calendars by the late eighties, but was marked in Newcastle from the 1890s, at times with much fervor, particularly at local schools.
Articles from the Herald in the 1940s speak of parades and pageants, in which children dressed up to represent different countries under Britain's rule.
It was a point of pride at Boolaroo Public School in 1950 that its pageant included "an English girl, an English boy, a Scottish girl and a Welsh boy".
Despite that impressive achievement, the Herald reported the same year that Newcastle's deputy mayor was already going around to school assemblies grumbling that Empire Day was not what it used to be. Schools weren't flying enough Union Jacks, for example. He instructed pupils to "carry as many flags as possible". Nothing like an order to put a dampener on things.
Luckily for Warners Bay residents, the Float Your Boat light show will be back on July 28 and 29, illuminating the lake into the night without the flammable, or imperial, twist of Australia's forgotten celebration.
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