It’s doubtful that any other ponytail in history ever got as much attention as that of the current mayor of Campbelltown, George Greiss.
For the past two weeks it’s been a big local news item as well as on social media.
That’s because it has all been for a good cause.
Mayor Greiss decided a little while a go to get rid of the ponytail, mainly because the reason he grew it in the first place no longer existed.
Five years ago, just as he launched himself into studying for a PhD in geography and urban planning at Western Sydney University, he decided he would not get a haircut until he handed in his thesis.
All that done and dusted this year, Mayor Greiss made a decision to give the ponytail the chop, but do it for charity.
He decided to donate anything that was raised to the wig library of the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre in Campbelltown Hospital.
So it was, rather appropriately, a case of him losing his hair so those people being treated for cancer could get a wig during their treatment.
The council people promoted the event, which included an online auction whereby the highest bidder would get the opportunity to make the cut at a special function in the Campbelltown arts centre.
So they were off and running, with the mayor’s deputy, Warren Morrison, emerging as an early favourite.
Macarthur FC Bulls owner Gino Marra came in with a bid which put him in front for a time, while former councillor Jai Rowell started to make in impact late in the Ponytail Stakes.
But in the last minute in came in the biggest bid so far from Wests Group Macarthur – almost $2000, but $1950 to be exact – and which finished a nose ahead of the rest of the field.
Which meant Paul Lake, a Wests director and former mayor and colleague of George Greiss got to do the honours with the scissors on Friday night.
Fellow mayors Therese Fedeli from Camden and Matt Gould from Wollondilly attended the event, along with current and former councillors.
The mayor’s wife, Michelle, was also there with their two young children, and she was pleased her husband’s ponytail was finally getting the chop.
The happiest people though will be those needing wigs at the cancer therapy centre because the auction raised more than $12,000.
