Cutting hair and CHANGING LIVES

Gary got cutting when he wanted to help his community Gary Strachan, 57, Darwin, NT

All done!' I told my client as I finished trimming his hair.

Looking in the mirror, he was happy with his new look.

A Working at a hairdressing salon in Darwin, I loved hearing people's stories when they came in for a cut.

 

But, as we chatted away, many clients told me that they were getting a trim before a court appearance.

While they may have done the wrong thing, they often had heartbreaking tales.

Once they were in the system, I realised, it was very hard for them to get their life on track and find work.

I wish I could do more, I often thought.

Wanting to give back to our largely Indigenous community, I decided to study law in 2002.

Around that time, my marriage broke down, so I continued working as a hairdresser while studying, to support my two children.

I was thankful for all my clients who knew they could trust me.

Babe, look who it is! It's the hair dude!' one man said to his girlfriend as they came up to say hello.

At that moment, I decided to launch

my own salon - Hair Dude.

During studies, I rushed between court and the salon. I'd arrive at work in my robe with my hair combed over to the side.

'Wow, I barely recognised you,' a client laughed as I spiked up my hair again.

At court, I'd listen to cases, taking in details of how the system worked.

In 2007, I graduated and became a lawyer.

From people robbing grocery stores to feed their babies, to troubled youths who were taking drugs, I felt like I was constantly cleaning up the aftermath of each case. I was like a tiny cog in a big machine.