Geoff Fry’s wish will come try early in the afternoon of Saturday, February 5, when his son takes part in the World’s Greatest Shave, in support of the Leukaemia Foundation.
While Yael loves his father it is more his own brush with the blood cancer that has influenced his decision to finally part with his long hair.
And it won’t be a case of returning to the short back and sides of his youth. It will all go — Kojak style — at the Saturday fund-raising event.
“A few years ago I went into hospital with suspected leukaemia.
“Fortunately it turned out to be a blood condition, but I spent a week in a ward at the Olivia Newton-John cancer centre,” he said.
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre is located at the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg. It was built in 2008 after the Grease star led several fund-raising events, including a 228km walk along the Great Wall of China.
For Yael, the week-long hospital experience was enough to inspire his choice to participate at some stage in a fund-raising event of his own.
“I went through a lot of blood tests. Just the unknown of what was going to happen was enough to stay with me.
“I suppose it was only a brush with leukaemia, I am fine now.
“But I saw its affects and that has stuck with me then,” he said.
Yael said it had been nine years since his hair was at a “normal” length and he has decided it is time for a change.
“There was no real reason behind me starting to grow it.
“People now just know me as the bloke with the long hair,” he said.
A fitter and turner at Foodmac in Echuca, Yael wears his hair mostly in a man bun.
As a footnote, TRESemmé shampoo and conditioner will be available more readily on supermarket shelves once the shave is complete.
"My sisters used that brand so I assumed that was a good (one),“ Yael said, explaining that washing his hair takes a good 10 to 15 minutes to wash — two or three times a week,’’ Yael said.
"I really have to plan it around what I’m doing because it takes a long time for it all to dry. I’m really looking forward to not having to keep up with the hair maintenance.’’
Yael will be bald at 4pm on Saturday, Feburary 5, but he doesn’t know whether he will shave off his beard.
“The whole lot on top is coming off, but I am undecided on the beard.
“That has been one and off, although I’ve had it for the last year,” he said.
This is his first involvement in the world’s greatest shave, the event being hosted by the community-minded management of the American Hotel.
“It will start at 1pm and I will be shaving my head at about 3pm,’’ Yael said.
“No-one has put their hand up to cut it yet. I will probably auction the rights off,” he said.
Yael will donate the hair to the foundation to be made into a wig.
He has already raised half of his $5000 goal and has about 100 Foodmac employees as a source of support.
As for his girlfriend, Anna, she is a little bit nervous.
“We have been together three years, she is just worried about how I will look,” he said.
Originally from Leitchville, Yael said it was always short back and sides as a kid.
“I got a hair cut when Mum told me I was getting a haircut. We were on a small farm,” he said.
Yael’s hair will be put into two piggy tails. He will auction off the right to cut one of those “tails”.
“The highest bidder can cut one off.
“I may have to let the old man, Geoff, cut the other one off considering it is what he has wanted for Christmas since I can remember,” Yael said.
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