Mayor’s hair gets the chop for charity as part of PhD graduation celebrations

Campbelltown City Mayor, Cr George Greiss, has celebrated completing his PhD at Western Sydney University by undergoing a haircut chop for charity, raising over $11,000 for the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre at Campbelltown Hospital.

Cr Greiss says he was committed to growing out his hair until he successfully completed his studies when he began his PhD in Geography and Urban Planning at the University’s School of Social Sciences in 2017.

Now, five years on, Cr Griess is set to graduate after successfully completing his PhD and marked the occasion on Friday 21 October with a special fundraising event taking donations and bids from local businesses and Campbelltown constituents for the chance to chop off the mayor’s hair.

“With my studies now complete, I thought this would be a good opportunity to raise much needed funds for a worthy cause to support the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre and to help purchase wigs for cancer patients,” said Cr Griess.

“The Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre provides an incredibly important service to our region and in the past year saw 5077 individuals utilise the Centre for a range of oncology services.

“The doctors and nurses at Campbelltown Hospital’s Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre do an amazing job each day providing important medical services and caring for people in our community,” he said.

Professor Adam  Possamai, Deputy Dean School of Social Sciences (left) and Associate Professor Awais Piracha (right) celebrating with Campbelltown City Mayor, Cr George Griess (middle) after the big chop for charity. Photo Credit: Campbelltown City Council.

Associate Professor Awais Piracha from the University’s School of Social Sciences has been Cr Griess’ principal PhD supervisor and mentor over the years, and says the pair quickly developed a rapport due to their shared passion for town planning policy and practice in Sydney.

He says Cr Griess’ doctoral research investigated the causes of community resistance to apartment living in Sydney using a path dependency and institutionalism framework, revealing interesting insights into community opposition to high density living.

“When George first began his PhD journey with us, I quickly recognised that he is an excellent scholar and very articulate. It has been a pure joy to have George as my student, the discussions we’ve had over the years about town planning have been very stimulating for me,” said Associate Professor Piracha.

“I am extremely pleased to see George complete his PhD with flying colours, and I congratulate him on his very well-deserved success,” he said.

A total of $11,385 was raised for the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre at Campbelltown Hospital, with Wests Group Macarthur Leumeah taking out the highest winning bid of $1,950 to cut the Mayor’s ponytail.

ENDS

3 November 2022

Danielle Aiken, Media Officer

Photo Credit: Campbelltown City Council