By Nick Creely
Local cricket identity Brian King is now virtually unrecognisable.
The Australia Post employee; who has been a volunteer scorer with both Narre Warren and Springvale South for well over a decade, and more recently a DDCA umpire, has lost his iconic, flowing mullet and moustache, all in the name of raising funds for cancer.
Joining the fight with the World’s Greatest Shave, Brian’s hair was shaved in front of almost 80 people at the DDCUA’s Grand Final appointments dinner at Shepley Oval on Wednesday 7 March.
The cause is close to Brian’s heart, with one of his closest mates struck down with cancer.
“I’ve got a very close friend who’s ended up with melanoma cancer, he’s a postie; he spent 43 years on the job, and he’s in a tough stroll at the moment, and he’s left work and fighting the cause,” he said.
“It started as melanoma, but in went into his lungs and he lost a quarter of his lung, and he’s lost sight in one eye, and he’s a very close friend, I catch up with him every Friday up at the Fountain Gate hotel.
“I was sitting at home, and I just saw the ad (for the World’s Greatest Shave), and thought it was something I could do; I just wanted to get it done and do it, I’ve raised about $853.30 now.”
Melanoma skin cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with Cancer Australia estimating that a further 8,653 males and 5,667 females will be diagnosed in 2018 alone.
King praised the support of those around him for making the shave possible; such as Australia Post and the DDCA, but understands the fight is far from over.
“Work was pretty good, they took the container out and people donated, but the biggest support was from the DDCUA, we raised almost $600 on the night,” he said.
“Cancer impacts everybody, absolutely everybody, so it’s the least I can do to help.”
He also said his mullet will make a triumphant return, but will need a bit of time to grow it back.
“It’s taken me about two and half to three years to grow it out; I’ll just grow it back and do it again,” he said with a laugh.
To donate money online, visit wordlsgreatestshave.com and follow the prompts.
