The sun was shining as brightly as the smile on John Goode’s face as he celebrated his 80th birthday with more than 200 members of the local community at Riverbank Park on Sunday.
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Two years in the making, John could not have asked for a better day to hold his party, which he selflessly dedicated to raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation in honour of his beloved wife Laura.
Flanked by the Rotary Club of Yass, local businesses and his friends and family, John raised an incredible $4,500 - and counting - for the charity that supported his family through their darkest of days 13 years ago. He hopes to reach the $5,000 mark this week.
The community of Yass turned out in its hundreds on Sunday to show just how much it appreciates one of its favourite sons.
Mayor Rowena Abbey addressed the crowd in the stunning sunshine at Riverbank Park and wished ‘the very special man with the gorgeous smiling face’ the warmest of wishes for his birthday.
“I’ve only been in Yass for 20-odd years and John Goode has been one of those gorgeous faces who is always happy,” Cr Abbey said.
“He is a very special man who has devoted a lot of time and effort to organising this beautiful day and then he is going to shave his beard off with a great mate.
“I just want to wish John a happy, happy birthday.”
A highlight of the day was when John and his mate Richard Maxwell took to the stage and let local hairdresser Hazel Peffers take the clippers to their heads - and beards - all in the name of raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Cheryl Maxwell had never before seen her husband without a beard in their 18 years of marriage.
She said his new ‘do’ made him look ‘a lot younger,’ a compliment Richard was happy to take.
“I feel weird,” he laughed after the great shave.
“As Hazel was shaving my head, there was a little breeze...it felt beautiful.”
Richard said he was inspired to take the plunge for his great mate.
“Basically, I did it for John Goode. He is such a lovely bloke and he said he was going to do it for Leukaemia and I thought, well that is a good enough excuse for me.”
A humbled - and now hairless - John was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Yass community.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better day,” he said.
“I’ve been praying for good weather and God answered my prayers. It is my great honour to be hosting this occasion. Yass is a very special town and one I feel blessed to be apart of.”
John paid tribute to his wife Laura, who he lost to Leukaemia in 2003.
“The Leukaemia Foundation’s generous support through Laura’s battle was so helpful.
“I’ve missed her terribly over the years and today’s fundraiser is a way to honour Laura’s memory while giving back to the charity that has helped us.”
John said the day would not have been possible without the assistance and generosity of the Yass Rotary Club and Interact, Yass Valley Council, Woolworths, Patrick’s Butchery, Tanks Bakery, Yass FM, Sonas Hair, Rusty and Ginger of Fire Katz, Heather Botica, Abraham McGregor, Melissa Robertson, Lugh Damen, Six8 Coffee, Yass Earthmovers, Mark Power, Sam and Andrew Mernagh, Tony and Karin Hawker and of course, MC Kim Turner.
“And thank you to Yass for your love and support,” John concluded.
