Eli Gibson had avoided having his hair cut since December 2016 specifically so he could have it all lopped off on Thursday - the day his school, Merewether High, held its World's Greatest Shave event.
His waist-length plait was shaved down almost to his scalp in front of his fellow students at a school assembly on Thursday to help raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Eli was one of 86 students who underwent the big chop on stage, with more students participating in the event outside of school hours.
Merewether High School participates in the event every year, with each prefect body aiming to beat the previous year's fundraising total.
This year's cohort achieved that and then some, raising an incredible $70,000 - $18,000 more than the year before.
"It's our biggest team yet, it's just bigger and better each year," said year 12 prefect Aidan Bottom, who helped coordinate the fundraiser.
"We were just astounded with how far we've come, especially in a COVID year with restrictions and everything.
"It's the drive to beat last year's fundraising record but also to support such a worthy cause.
"It's just such a fun way to raise money. We've done Bunnings barbecues, we're selling pizzas at the school, we've sold pies and drinks but the bulk of our fundraising comes from the participants.
"The largest group has raised $6000 on their own."
Donations were still pouring in on the day, with buckets set up at the front of the stage for people to drop money into so they could join the hairdressers in shaving their fellow students' hair. The event was also livestreamed onto the school's Facebook page, with viewers encouraged to donate.
Student Sophia Suters, who was one of the event hosts on Thursday, said there was still a month left to donate and they wanted the total to keep rising.
"Because 47 Australians today have to tell their family today that they've been diagnosed with blood cancer, which is a really horrible reality," she said.
"So anything we can do, any little bit of bravery we can show, or any generosity with money is really important because it's nothing compared to what they go through."
Principal Rochelle Dooley said the fundraiser was run by the students and the school was very proud of their efforts.
"I think it's an amazing initiative," she said. "I think primarily because the fundraiser goes directly to help young people. So it's our kids reaching out to other kids who maybe aren't in a privileged position that they are with their health, so I think it's wonderful that it's a very child-centred initiative."
