What happened 

Fiona Djaerrkura is a Yolngu community member and the typical of the type of phone call Deadly Hair Dude has received since starting to train Indigenous students in hairdressing. As a community representative and Manager at Aboriginal Medical Services, Fiona saw the opportunity to involve Deadly Hair Dude to upskill and develop community members to eventually work and own a salon.

Others such as Nhulunbuy High School principal David Lee were consulted with and saw the opportunity. Then, Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) engaged Deadly Hair Dude with the support of NIAA. After 12 months of visits, structured training, community haircuts and colours there are now community members ready to start their Certification process. ALPA Nhulunbuy now has a permanent salon in their Community Development Program workspace.

What will happen next 

 Deadly will continue to visit Nhulunbuy and hope to undertake the Certificate 2 in Hairdressing in 2022 with the first group of talented community members that have completed their foundation level training. 

Further trials and training will see more people develop, and ALPA hope to open a small salon in Yirrkala to support other communities. Deadly Hair Dude’s involvement will see the salon remain sustainable.

Impact

Participants have built up self-confidence and self-worth, acquired practical hairdressing, work readiness and communication skills as well as being supported with their social and emotional wellbeing requirements. 

Community members enjoy local people cutting, styling and colouring their hair. Role models are seen by school students and career pathways are being shown in local communities.