More than just haircuts
TOUCH OF TOOWOOMBA: Tommy Gun’s Grand Central, 10am, yesterday
Lauren Hunt
I WAS born in Toowoomba and went to school and grew up here. I finished school and went into a hairdressing apprenticeship and have been in the industry ever since.
I’ve been managing Tommy Gun’s since we opened in July 2016.
What’s that been like? I started with hairdressing and Tommy Gun’s is the first barber shop that I’ve been in. It is different, but I love it.
Tommy Gun’s has got a really unique experience that we provide for clients – so that’s your complimentary drink, TVs and mirrors, self check-in.
What do I like about barbering? I enjoy the client interaction. I think people in Toowoomba are really down to earth and easy to chat with.
And with Tommy Gun’s we get involved a lot in community events. We do a fair bit of fundraising.
One thing I love about Toowoomba is the community engagement.
Sylvester Newman
MOST of my years I was in Kingaroy.
I did my first six months of my barbering apprenticeship there and I went over to Tommy Gun’s because I used to come here for TAFE and I’d come in here for haircuts and eventually one day, they said they were looking for a firstyear apprentice and yeah, ended up going for a trial and getting the job within a few weeks.
I pretty much moved to Toowoomba for the job.
I’ve been here about 15 months and I’ve just over a year to go with the apprenticeship.
I got into barbering because I used to do friends and mates’ hair at home and I draw so it’s kind of got similar skills you use, like blending and working with lines and what not.
So I thought I had a natural talent there in some way, and I’d enjoy it. I still enjoy it.
I like Toowoomba because it’s got the best of both worlds.
You’ve got your country but you’ve still got your city feel, and it’s got everything you need, really.
Leah Gaffney
MY FAMILY and I moved here 13 years ago from Ireland and we moved here for the better lifestyle and Toowoomba’s been great for that.
Schooling-wise it’s amazing. The past couple of years it’s just grown so much, which is awesome.
I’m from Longford in Ireland, on the southern side. It was way smaller than Toowoomba - way smaller. It’s just a tiny little country town. So moving to Toowoomba was really big for us.
Moving from somewhere so small we didn’t want to go somewhere that was too big and Brisbane is just a bit too crazy for us.
Toowoomba has been really good. I’m glad it’s bringing in a lot more events now for younger people, and it’s got a couple of festivals on and things like that.
What’s one thing I love about Toowoomba? How friendly everyone is.
I guess working in the barber industry for so long now, you meet a lot of people and yeah, everyone’s been so lovely and friendly.
Cherrie Mills
I GREW up in Townsville. I lived there pretty much all my life.
I moved to Toowoomba in January. I’ve worked for Tommy Gun’s the past three months. It’s been a great opportunity and it’s a great company to work for.
I’m the head barber here at Tommy Gun’s. I love working here.
Why’d I move? My partner changed companies and there was a good opportunity at Tommy Gun’s, so yeah.
I wasn’t worried. It was a new adventure and Toowoomba seemed cool.
And it’s definitely a bit cooler here – I feel like I live in Antarctica now but that’s all good. I’ve got lots of jumpers now.
I’m enjoying Toowoomba so far. There’s nice people and it’s not too big and not too small. There’s a lot of nice restaurants in Toowoomba and there’s cool alleyways, sort of like Melbourne.
What’s one thing I like about Toowoomba? It’s in Australia.
We live here ‘cos we love it!