Few would recognise Torquay photographer and businessman Michael Reed, now much scruffier thanks to his ‘iso’ beard and shaggy locks.
“I’ve never had a beard like this,” said Michael, the new president-elect of Torquay Rotary Club.
“I made the call in March, saying I’m not going to have a shave or haircut till they let me out. Several months later, here we are.”
The COVID-19 pandemic not only prevented Michael from visiting the barber, but also disrupted fundraising activities at his beloved club.
The club’s Pets on Parade competition and other online events raised some money for Indigenous eye health and mental health projects.
“But we haven’t been able to do much to raise funds to put back into the local community,” Michael explained.
“Over the years we’ve donated money to the CFAs, SESs and schools.”
So the club launched a campaign to chop Micheal’s shaggy locks, which has raised $500 so far towards future local projects.
And that looks likely to increase before he goes under the clippers at the club’s end of year function at Kithbrooke Park, Bellbrae, on December 20.
“I just got a call from one of the Rotarians that she would donate $1000 if I did the full head shave,” he said.
Past president Kelly Binyon urged locals to dig deep for Michael’s much-needed trim.
“[Nine] months into COVID, Michael is now very woolly and in desperate need of a haircut and shave,” she said.
“Just how much hair is removed will depend on how generous the community is with donations to Torquay Rotary.”
Donations: trybooking.com/au/donate/michaelsshave
