TravelManagers’ Georgia Thomas is set to complete a four-year growth at the TravelManagers’ annual National Conference in Bali next week where she takes the stage for a very public haircut.
The haircut sees Thomas cut off around 60cm for Variety Foundation’s ‘Hair with Heart’ charity – an initiative that supports children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions.
Thomas, who is an Operations Executive at TravelManagers’ National Partnership Office (NPO) in Sydney, is aiming to have raised at least $5,000 in sponsorship when the first snip is made on stage. The funds will support Variety’s Hair with Heart wig grant, which allows children to be fitted for a specialised custom-made real hair, suction wig: an initiative that Thomas is happy to assist with the donation of her own freshly cropped locks.
“I was a swim teacher for six years before entering the travel industry, and during that time I saw how charities like Variety support Aussie kids who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability,” Thomas said.
“I’ve already donated my hair to them once before in 2018, but this time I wanted to do more by raising money for them too. It’s important to me because I have seen how kids can really benefit from that boost to their confidence and self-esteem.”
She explains that the idea of cutting her hair at TravelManagers’ conference came to her at the beginning of 2025 when she realised that the September event would coincide with Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
“TravelManagers has supported me by sharing my fundraiser with our network of personal travel managers (PTMs) and our partner suppliers,” Thomas added. “I am also scheduled to speak at conference, and I’m looking forward to sharing my journey with the people who have been so generous in their support.”
Thomas says she increased her fundraising target from $2,500 to $5,000 shortly after her campaign officially began on 8 August, and she notes that support has not been limited to financial contributions. A ‘crazy hair day’ event saw her NPO colleagues getting creative with coloured hairspray and props; the person with the craziest hairstyle (as judged by Thomas, won by marketing manager Tania Myles) won the right to wield the scissors in Bali.
“I’ve also promised first cutting rights to the person who donates the most money towards this wonderful cause, and I’ve had amazing support from across the PTM network,” Thomas said.
“I’m looking forward to having a bit of fun with my hair now that I don’t have to worry about keeping it in pristine condition for donation. I’m planning to take lots of photos of me with my hair, celebrate with everyone at Conference, and then I will dye my remaining hair light pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.”
