Ormiston College proudly hosted its eleventh annual fundraising event, The Chop, in October, continuing its tradition of supporting women affected by breast cancer. This year’s event was a resounding success, surpassing the original target of $50,000 and raising over $55,000 for Mater Chicks in Pink.
The Chop is a highly anticipated occasion in the College calendar, where Year 12 students donate their ponytails to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer support. In 2025, a record-breaking 64 students participated, the largest number of Year 12 girls to date, demonstrating the College’s strong commitment to service and community.
Service Leadership Prefect, Tania Prakash, opened the event saying, "I am honoured to be a part of such a large group of generous girls giving up their hair for a greater cause. Your sacrifice will make a bigger impact than you can imagine."
The first ponytail was cut by Janice Butler, a breast care nurse at Mater Private Hospital Redland, alongside local hairdressers from The Hair Chapel and C’Ba Hair, who generously volunteered their time. Janice expressed her gratitude saying, “I would like to thank Ormiston College and every student here today that's participating in The Chop. To all your family and friends and to everyone that donated, you're making a real difference.”
Wendy Turk from Sustainable Salons, an organisation which aids in diverting up to 95% of salon materials from landfill by re-purposing it, explained how the ponytails donated would be made into wigs for alopecia and cancer sufferers across Australia.
At the conclusion of the event, Georgina Campbell from Mater Foundation accepted a cheque on behalf of Mater Chicks in Pink, which funds equipment, research, and practical support services for breast cancer patients.
Headmaster Michael Hornby commended the students saying, “We are incredibly proud of the Year 12 girls for stepping forward, in alignment with our value of Service, to have their hair chopped and raise much-needed funds.”
Since its inception in 2015, The Chop has raised over $294,000, reflecting the enduring spirit of generosity within the Ormiston College community. Thank you to all students, staff, and families who contributed, your support will make a meaningful difference.
