The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has awarded the 2024 COSBOA National Small Business Champion award to Gary Strachan, the director of the hairdressing not-for-profit enterprise Deadly Hair Dude.
The award was given to Strachan during COSBOA’s National Small Business Summit for his passion and initiative in addressing the lack of hairdressing services and skills in remote parts of the Northern Territory, creating local employment, as well as addressing broader social issues and sustainable enterprise development.
Deadly Hair Dude has been helping young Indigenous people learn the art of hairdressing, with the students receiving a Certificate II in Hairdressing while also building their self-esteem. The program is also instrumental in providing opportunities, skills and a capable workforce for remote Indigenous communities.
To date, Deadly Hair Dude has reached over 40 remote communities and is expanding from hairdressing into horticulture and aquaculture training.
“Being a part of the National Small Business Summit and now being named the Small Business Champion is a great honour and testament to everything we’ve been working to achieve for our local communities,” Strachan sai. “It’s a privilege to work with such an amazing organisation like COSBOA. I’d like to thank my team, family and everyone who has supported Deadly over the last four years. I’m excited to continue to grow, innovate, and bring new skills and opportunities to remote communities in the Northern Territory.”
The COSBOA National Small Business Champion award was established to recognise and acknowledge the efforts of small-business influencers who are making a genuine difference in their respective industries or sectors.
“Gary’s work is a reminder that business is not just about profit but about people; making a difference in the lives of those who need it most,” Ben Kearney, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) and Director of COSBOA, said.
