Mandy Woodhead started at Harmonious hairdressing in 1985 at 16 years old.
Photo by
Abby Green
Mandy Woodhead has worked at Harmonious hairdressing for an impressive 40 years.
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Mandy joined Harmonious on December 10, 1985 as a 16-year-old apprentice, after her sister Vicky started the business in Cobram at the age of 24.
“She'd been open for a month and needed an apprentice, and whether I wanted to be a hairdresser or not, that’s what I did,” Mandy said.
“I laughed at her when she said it's a four-year apprenticeship. She said, just hold out, do your job, and then if you don't want to be here after that, go and do whatever, but get your qualification first.
“And I laughed at her, and I said, you really think I’m going to be here in four years’ time?
“And then, sadly, she was killed in a car accident coming to work one morning.
“I’d been there 18 months, I wasn’t qualified, so I stuck it out, got my qualification.”
Mandy bought the salon off her brother-in-law at the age of 20, determined to carry on her sister’s dream.
“She worked damn hard, very hard, so once she wasn’t there anymore, I certainly was not going to let her dream disappear,” she said.
Mandy stayed in that salon on Punt Rd for 29 years before converting a bedroom in her home into a “beautiful, little miniature hairdressing salon”.
Reflecting on the significant anniversary, Mandy said that she was proud of herself and that 40 years had gone by extremely quickly.
She said her favourite part about being a hairdresser was learning from people and the friends she had made over the years.
“They’ve rocked my babies, bought me herbs for the garden, given me recipe tips, they’ve been good to me ... without them, I have nothing and a very boring day,” she said.
“To every client that has ever walked through that door and every staff member that has ever been a part of my team, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being with me on my 40-year journey at Harmonious hairdressing.”
Helen Jones has been getting her hair done by Mandy for over 25 years and said she would be dearly missed if she retired.
“She makes you feel pampered, it’s lovely,” Helen said.
Helen Jones has been a client of Mandy’s for over 25 years.
Photo by
Abby Green
Mandy has no plans to celebrate on the actual day of the 40th anniversary except maybe with a glass of wine after work.
“It will just be business as usual,” she said.
If you would like to book in with Mandy you can give her a call on 0427 839 669. She is currently booking six weeks in advance.
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