We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands across which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection – both physical and spiritual – to land, sea and sky.
Healing on Country: Walkabout Barber brings connection and care to communities
COORDINARE proudly supported the Walkabout Barber and Walkabout Beautiful programs, which delivered free haircuts, beauty services, and mental health support in culturally safe and welcoming environments.
Led by proud Gamilaraay man and former NRL player Brian Dowd, the Walkabout Barber mobile salon visited Bega, Narooma, Mogo, Nowra, and Kanahooka, as part of our commitment to Aboriginal-led, community-driven health initiatives.
Across the five locations, the program delivered 550+ services, including:
250
+barber services.
150
+beauty treatments.
140
+hairdressing services.
Brian combines his barbering skills with qualifications in Indigenous Trauma and Recovery Therapy. Beyond grooming, the program delivered trauma recovery and suicide prevention workshops, promoting healing, resilience, and connection through culture.
Community feedback highlights
Insights from the community member post-surveys revealed consistently positive feedback, including:
Provider reflections on participation
Service providers expressed deep appreciation for being part of the initiative, with post-survey results showing 100% of respondents found the experience worthwhile. The most rewarding aspects included:
