Goulburn's Nerida Harris retires after 53 years in business

Looking back, she said it was fortuitous Caroline Cassidy rang her family's home one Friday night in 1967, offering her an apprenticeship at her salon overlooking Belmore Park.

"I told Mum I didn't want to go back to boarding school at Saint Joseph's," she said.

"I started work on the Monday and loved every minute of it."

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On Wednesday, Mrs Harris will mark 53 years in the hairdressing industry. On Friday she will officially retire and lease her Union Street salon to employee, Nicole Downey.

Mrs Harris's business is as much an institution in Goulburn as the adjoining Gordon Hotel, owned for many years by her late parents, Bill and Jean Bowerman (nee Gordon).

That's where her family, including late brother Robert, and sister Narelle grew up. The pub was owned by the Gordon family until 1992, a year after Jean passed away.

While the regulars were like family, sweeping the floor at a local hairdresser's during her holidays whet Nerida's appetite for a different path.

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After her four-year apprenticeship and "a lot of fun," she worked at a Canberra salon for five months before returning to Goulburn upon her father's passing in 1972 to help her mother.

Following a brief stint at the Noeline and Belle salon in Kinghorne Street, she returned to Canberra, working for the owner of four hairdressers.

One was at Red Hill where the likes of Margaret Whitlam, former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's wife, visited. Then there was actress Jacki Weaver, who was "gorgeous and down to earth," and Rosemary Sinclair, wife of Ian Sinclair who later led the National Party.

Mrs Harris later returned to Goulburn and worked at Annette's Salon in Combermere Street before starting her own business, Nerida's Hair Union, in a former boot maker's shop beside The Gordon in 1985. The space was owned by her parents.

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"I just felt the need to work for myself and this space was vacant," she said.

"Robert and Mum turned it into a salon for me. It was like going home and Mum would come in and chat to the clients."

Many of the clientele became good friends and she listened to their life stories. As she says, you need to be a good listener and a "bit of a counsellor," as well as know your craft.

They also loaned support when Mrs Harris's husband, Steve, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2002. It eventually went to his brain and spinal cord, which paralysed him. He underwent extensive treatment and spent many weeks in the former Saint John of God Hospital before passing away in 2008.

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"It was a terrible time," Mrs Harris said.

"My clients were very understanding when I had to close and go up to Sydney for his treatment."

Over the years, she has trained and nurtured many apprentices and had long-term employees.

"I've loved every aspect of it," Mrs Harris said.

"I love my clients and have made lots of friends."

But when employee Nicole Downey approached her about one day taking over the business, she decided to retire.

"It was a hard decision but it became easier and easier. I'll turn 70 this year and I'm getting a bit tired," Mrs Harris said.

"I know I'm leaving it in capable hands."

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Mrs Downey has 25 years' hairdressing experience, including at The Lookahead.

"I'm very proud to be taking over," she said.

"This has always been Nerida's baby and I'll look after that baby."

Mrs Harris will be farewelled with a small luncheon on Friday.

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