LACW Megan Murphy was the driving force behind 'Girls Go Bald Charity Head Shave'.

Fourteen local women, each driven by personal reasons, have gone out on a limb in the name of charity. And they have achieved something quite remarkable.

The group, united in their desire to 'do their bit', had their heads shaved, raising well over $10,000 for the ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group.

RAAF Signals Operator, Leading Aircraftwoman Megan Murphy was the driving force behind 'Girls Go Bald Charity Head Shave', which brought all activity in Belconnen Shopping Mall to a standstill on 31 August.

Hosted by FM104.7's Erica Hodge, 'Girls Go Bald' saw 13 woman, aged between 15 and 49 years old, go under the hairdressers' shears before a crowd of about 400 people. (Another local woman had her head shaved at a later date.)

Two weeks later, her head already covered with spiky regrowth, Megan can sit back and reflect on the event, the support it received and the mixed responses the girls' new looks have received.

'I wanted to do something really worthwhile before I turned 30,' Megan said. With this wish and the fact her own family had been touched by cancer as motivating forces, Megan contacted the local cancer support group.

That was in June, and within a couple of months, Megan had 13 other's willing to take part in the all-female head shave. The group was made up of civilians and representatives from all three Services including four RAAF members and the Commanding Officer of HMAS Harman, Commander Julie Mitchell.

'I was so pleased with the support I received for the head shave - the girls have been wonderful, agreeing to be a part of it, FM104.7 helped me promote the event, staff from TGs in Fyshwick performed the shaving and people have been very generous in their donations.'

Dubbed an 'angel' by Erica, Megan would prefer to stay out of the limelight. 'It really isn't a big deal for me and the personal attention is embarrassing,' she said. 'It wouldn't have happened without all the girls and I'm just so happy it was a success because it meant so much to them.'

While most people have been full of admiration and praise for 'Girls Go Bald' participants, some have been cruel. 'It has been an interesting social exercise,' Megan said. 'Those who know us or about the head shave have been wonderful, but the reaction from the general public has been shocking. We've had all sorts of reactions, from people just staring and whispering to people actually making tasteless remarks and throwing popcorn at us in the movies.'

Despite this, Megan and the others have said they'd do it all again. 'We all had our own reasons for doing this, and even though some of the reactions are upsetting, it doesn't change what we have achieved together.'

Girls Go Bald participants
Teachers Trish Skillen and Kerry Brown, FSGT Fiona McAuley, CPL Melanie English, CPL Dale Legg, LACW Megan Murphy, SIG Maxine Graham, CMDR Julie Mitchell, CPOEWC Wendy Wilson, students Ailsa Mackerras, Brooke Cooper, and Heather Warrick, CSIRO's Amanda Kilby and vet assistant Belinda Hull.

By Rebecca Bullivant