Michaela Meade
The Lynda Blundell Seniors Centre hairdressing service closed last week after 30 years of operation.
The service had been running since shortly after the centre in Dallas was opened in July, 1991.
At the time, Karen Lever was employed to open the salon and provided an accessible, affordable service for seniors.
In 2003, Rosemary Moon joined Karen.
Both women developed an ongoing friendship with the seniors who came to them for a “chin wag and cut”.
The club was saddened in 2008 when Karen unexpectedly died, however Rosemary continued the service, displaying a small shrine in Karen’s honour in the salon.
Reduced demand for the service and changes to the community use of the centre has meant the salon needed to close, with the space be used for alternate activities.
Rosemary told Star Weekly she was sad to be leaving, as she gave her final haircut at the site last week.
“I make people happy here,” she said.
“They come for a haircut and gossip, and that’s their activity for the day, which has been lovely.”
Club member Sonja Rutherford said Rosemary had made a “second family” at the salon.
Rosemary will continue to provide home hairdressing services for those who would like them.
