January 27, 2022
It’s no secret that Cherbourg’s Tyrone Murray loves being a barber … but the opening of his new shop in Murgon on Thursday was definitely “a cut above the rest”.
The opening celebrations are going to take a lot of beating!
Tyrone’s shop, “Crow’s Barbershop”, is believed to be the first Indigenous-owned business in Lamb Street so there was plenty to celebrate.
QEII Park hosted Tyrone’s friends and family in a mix of modern and traditional celebrations.
There was dancing by the Wakka Wakka Dancers – dancing is another one of Ty’s loves – speeches, a barbecue and a jumping castle for the kids.
Cherbourg Radio did a live broadcast to share the fun with anyone who could not make it into Murgon.
Wakka Wakka Elder Aunty Vera Sullivan, who did the Welcome To Country, congratulated Tyrone for all the hard work he had put into getting the business to this point.
“We are all so very proud of you. You are a good role model for your community,” she said.
Pastor Max Conlon, who did the blessing, was also full of praise.
“It’s wonderful to see an Aboriginal business in this community … dreams do come true,” he said.
Nurunderi TAFE campus co-ordinator Sharon Sippel said Tyrone had done a lot of hard work “behind the scenes”.
“He hasn’t just sat down and waited for opportunities to come,” she said. “He kept getting back up and made this happen.”
Cherbourg Mayor Elvie Sandow, Deputy Mayor Tom Langton and Council CEO Chatur Zala presented Tyrone with a clock as a keepsake for the occasion.
An emotional Ty told the crowd he had promised himself he would be the first Indigenous man to have a shop “in this street”.
“That promise has come true today as I open my shop,” he said.
Ty admitted he had faced challenges along the way but said people had always pushed him to get back up, including his mother and wife.
“It’s something I love. I love cutting hair,” he said.
The shop has been named Crow’s Barbershop after his great-great-grandfather.
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