Bald Gilly came into being in 2013 as an annual tribute to the memory of my father, the late (Norman) David Gilchrist as a twist on the more widely known "World's Greatest Shave", which takes place across Australia earlier in the year. The initial concept was more of a dare for my mates to put their money where their mouths are, thinking that I'd put the initial target so high that there was no chance I'd have to actually go through with it and bare the physical scars of paediatric neurosurgery which up until that point had not seen the light of day in 30 years. The execution of the concept meant that I have never underestimated the generosity of my mates ever since. It also showed me, that once my ugly mug was out there for all to see, the one act of physical vulnerability I do annually hopefully already has made a difference in the lives of those who have gone through the same things we have since the day the music died. On 22 July 2021, our family welcomed David's granddaughter to the world, and from the following year onwards, I have committed to launching the formal fundraising period on this day so that the centre of my world will always have a connection to the most inspirational man I will ever know. Dad, this one, as always is for you. For the full background, including links to past years' fundraisers and "before and after pictures" from all shaves done thus far, check out the Bald Gilly facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BaldGilly/ At the time of this year's scheduled shave on October 24, it will be 11 years since I first made the commitment to shave my head in memory of dad. Over the past 11 years, your support has helped raise more than $10,000 for not for profit organisations supporting cancer research, disability organisations and children's charities. A key part of the Bald Gilly campaign is my commitment to "pay it forward" through matching all donations made to Love Your Sister through this page with a donation of the same amount to causes close to my heart. Few causes mean more to our family than The Golden Stave Foundation, a charitable foundation supporting childrens' charities formed in 1979 by members of the Australian music industry, who named their annual Ambrose Golf Day competition after dad in 2012 as a sign of respect and ongoing recognition of dad's memory and support of the foundation. Our family proudly maintain a presence at these days, and team Gilchrist took out the competition in 2024 (albeit with the assistance of a non-Gilchrist cousin) and I am honoured to confirm that this year, I will be matching all donations made through this page to Love Your Sister with a donation to The Golden Stave Foundation. Since 2013, through your generous donations as well as Bald Gilly's donation matching in recent years has collectively raised tens of thousands of dollars to honour the memory of a one of a kind, dearly loved and missed husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and confidant. This year's page was published in mid July, and the campaign launched on 22 July, the third birthday of Bald Gilly's niece (and David's adored granddaughter) Chiara, whom David would have loved with all his heart. To celebrate Chiara whilst remembering the grandfather she never got the chance to meet, Bald Gilly's annual fundraising target has been $2207 since 2022 (and $2207.21 where amounts have been able to include amounts other than whole dollars, symbolising Chiara's date of birth. As always, thank you once again for the difference you have made. Not just in the lives of those supported by the not for profit organisations you have donated to, but the light you have brought to the heart of Bald Gilly and the extended BG Family, which you have become a part of in your support. I continue to be deeply humbled by the love and support of those who have made a difference. Thank you for allowing me to continue to honour the memory of my hero.