{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.bankaust.com.au/blog/{{slug}}" }, "headline": "{{title}}", "description": "{{desc}}", "image": "{{image}}", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Bank Australia", "url": "https://www.bankaust.com.au/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Bank Australia", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d5d5beb2a67e9491ecdff8/64d5d5beb2a67e9491ece00c_BA-logo-white.webp" } }, "datePublished": "{{datePublished}}", "dateModified": "{{dateModified}}" }
Alert notice

1 July 2025: updates to privacy and credit reporting policy - We have updated our privacy and credit reporting policy, effective 1 July 2025. Learn more.

2025-07-01 9:47 am
Alert notice

2 July 2025 – Qantas cyber incident. We are aware of a cyber incident at Qantas that has resulted in the release of some Qantas customers’ personal information. Learn more.

2025-06-19 11:58 am
Back to blog
People

Jimmy has had half a beard for two years. This is why.

Photo journal

If you see someone on August 31 with half of their hair shaved off, one eyebrow missing, or sporting half a beard, don’t assume they’ve lost a bet with mates. They’re actually helping save the world.

HalfCut is a conservation initiative, started by Jimmy HalfCut (formerly James Stanton-Cooke) and Jessica Clarke, to highlight the devastating fact that over half of the world’s forests are now gone.

The growing social movement raises awareness – and funds – for forest conservation and regeneration, encouraging people of all ages to get involved through a fun peer-to-peer fundraising campaign: by committing to go HalfCut on August 31.

That could be shaving half your beard off, shaving (or braiding) half of your hair, even wearing half a face of makeup. It’s all about creating a visual disruptor that’ll make people stop and ask, “What’s this all about?”.

The idea for HalfCut

“We came up with the idea for HalfCut when we were travelling through South America, working on a conservation project in the Bolivian Amazon Basin,” Jimmy says.

“We noticed a lot of halves going on: half the world’s forests are gone, half the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is dead, over 50% of the planet’s wildlife and plant species are extinct, and we’ve got a 50% chance of keeping global temperatures below 1.5°C. Going HalfCut shows people ‘Half’s gone!’. We can grow our hair back, but the reality of growing back Gondwanaland? You can’t. So we’re protecting the land that’s remaining and getting on with regeneration.”

Funds raised through the initiative are used to purchase freehold properties in Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest. For the 2020 HalfCut campaign, Jimmy and Jess have been working with traditional landowners, the Kuku Yalanji mob, and the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, to buy their third property in the Daintree – Lot 155 – which will then be handed back to the traditional landowners.

HalfCut need to raise $220,875 to secure the 8.8ha Daintree property; that works out to about $2.50 for each square metre of land.

The importance of Lot 155

Lot 155 is extremely significant. Home to 220 endemic plant species, the land will provide secure habitat for the threatened endangered Southern cassowary and Bennett’s tree kangaroo. It’s also the site of the women’s Blue Hole, a sacred birthing ground and meeting place for women to come together, which has just been reclaimed by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation.

“The local mob can see the benefits of being back on Country and starting that healing process, and then taking those next steps of eco tourism, cultural engagements, and green jobs,” Jimmy explains. “Even though we’re just a small cog in the wheel, it’s incredible being a part of it.”

How Bank Australia are getting involved

In 2020, Bank Australia went HalfCut, matching donations to the initiative dollar for dollar. Staff, customers and supporters were encouraged to sign up, raise some cash, and then commit to donning your HalfCut look on August 31. You don’t have to shave half your head either. You could braid or colour half your hair or beard, paint half your face, sew together two halves of two different outfits.

“It’s about getting creative and allowing people to have a bit of a laugh,” Jimmy says. “We’ve seen half clothing, half makeup, a few whole body HalfCuts from particularly hairy males. We’ve even seen someone give their dog a HalfCut for their end-of-winter groom.”

Jimmy has been sporting his HalfCut beard for almost two years. “I wear it as a badge of honour,” he explains. “For everyone who asks why I look like this, it’s an opportunity for a conversation, and it’s one more person hearing about the world’s deforestation. They might join you, they might make a donation, or it might make them start thinking about their own carbon footprint, and what they’re doing to make a difference.”

You can sign up or donate to HalfCut here.

Related stories

Impact

Partnering with purpose: Bank Australia and Muru Office Supplies

Who we do business with matters. That’s why we’re proud to announce our new partnership with Muru Office Supplies—a Supply Nation certified, Indigenous-owned business that shares our commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable future.

Impact

“Doing well and doing good”: How Coffee Club Investment Group is creating beautiful accessible housing

In a quiet, tree-lined street just 11kms from Melbourne’s CBD, a residential development is reshaping how Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) can look and feel. Named “Bumblebee”, this ten-apartment complex is more than a housing solution – it’s an example of purpose-driven design.

Read how Specialist Disability Accommodation is being reshaped in Melbourne.

Impact

“Stories of strength, resilience and self-determination”: Victorian Aboriginal News is amplifying First Nations voices

From his van on Country to the airwaves across Victoria, Uncle Charles Pakana is amplifying First Nations voices through Victorian Aboriginal News. We spoke to Uncle Charles about how the independent media project, backed by Bank Australia, is changing the narrative around reconciliation.

Read how Uncle Charles Pakana uses his VAN as a voice for the future.

Impact

How Nalderun is helping young First Nations people thrive

On Djaara Country in Central Victoria, Bank Australia community customer grant recipient Nalderun has been changing the lives of young First Nations people for over 15 years. Their aim? To help their kids thrive and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Impact

First Nations Recognition and Respect: An update one year on from our strategy launch

In May 2024, Bank Australia launched its First Nations Recognition and Respect strategy, setting out our vision for walking together towards First Nations justice, reconciliation and self-determination. One year on, we spoke with Rafe Pfitzner Milika, our Manager Reconciliation Strategy, to reflect

Read the highlights one year on from our First Nations Recognition and Respect strategy Launch

News

We've signed up to Respect and Protect – Combating financial and domestic abuse

We’re proud to announce that Bank Australia has signed up to the ‘Respect and Protect’ program where we join like-minded customer-owned banks in updating our terms and conditions to better protect customers from domestic and financial abuse. We recognise the significant responsibility we have in add