University of Queensland student Patrick Hackett lost his luscious locks and celebrity status when he shaved his head as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s Shave for a Cure just over a year ago.
"The Glorious Ranga Mullet” was well-known around St Lucia for his impressive head of red hair.
Patrick said the prominence generated by his hair had given him an opportunity to help others.
“I really enjoyed the experience and had a lot of fun,” he said.
“Sometimes I catch myself thinking back and remembering times gone past with my mullet, but I don’t miss it.
“It was a little weird getting used to not having it, but I have adjusted.
“I just hope that the event helped the Leukemia Foundation.”
He embraced his celebrity status whole-heartedly, accepting titles such as ‘the orange bald eagle’, ‘our crimson overlord’ and the ‘red baron’.
The hairstyle quickly led to social media fame and resulted in his photo featuring on popular television program The Footy Show.
Patrick raised over $8000 for the Leukemia Foundation, and thinks his five minutes of fame has now ended.
“A few weeks after the event people continued to notice me, but after that it has all stopped,” he said.
“I’ll continue to keep my hair short for a while and think about what my next move will be.”
Patrick was featured across a variety of media outlets, including The Courier-Mail and Channel Ten’s The Project.
About 31 Australians are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood disorder each day, according to the Leukaemia Foundation.
Shave for a Cure raises funds by encouraging people to sponsor friends and family to shave or colour their hair.
The proceeds support the Leukaemia Foundation’s work in research investment and support for families.
Media: UQ Communications Kate Bishop, 3346 7887 or k.bishop3@uq.edu.au.
