What happened 

Kalano Community Association saw an opportunity to integrate Deadly Hair Dude’s training for Indigenous students with their community services. Deadly have undertaken work throughout the Katherine region using their hands on practical learning methods to engage students. Deadly Hair Dude now visits local Indigenous communities in the Katherine region such as Rockhole, Binjari, along with visits to Katherine High school, Salvation Army homeless centre, vaccination centres, and Venndale Drug and alcohol facility.

Feedback from Venndale Drug and Alcohol Centre has been outstanding, with staff members saying that many residents of the program expressed interest in learning hairdressing so upon release they are work ready. Kalano has booked Deadly’s mobile hairdressing unit for 1 year as it suits them to have a mobile unit to provide for various locations and program locations under its control.

What will happen next 

Kalano will offer Indigenous people from the Katherine region the opportunity to study hairdressing with Deadly Hair Dude. Kalano’s goal is to open a local hairdressing salon with fully trained local Indigenous students to service the needs of the Katherine community.

Kalano is already planning to join Deadly Hair Dude when it expands its services to include horticulture by doing a joint funding application. Kalano owns 40 acres of land near its Drug and Alcohol Centre which it intends to grow fruit and vegetables for a market garden store. Youth Diversion and Drug and Alcohol clients will benefit from having training and employment, working in the farm out in the fresh air as part of their rehabilitation program. 

Impact

The people in the Drug and Alcohol program are not only feeling better about themselves and developing self esteem, but are also asking about traineeships. Homeless persons in the area feel better after having a fresh haircut with their pride being lifted due to their improved appearance. Local school students can trial hairdressing to see if they would like to start an apprenticeship once they have completed their school studies. Community members in remote communities near Katherine have access to a service that currently did not exist before Kalano engaged Deadly Hair Dude.