Barber reopens for business

By Emily Donohoe

Feb 3, 2025

The Town Barber has welcomed its first customers at its new location on 18 Moore St, Rochester, with the books quickly filling up.

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Two months on from a firebombing attack at the neighbouring tobacconist that destroyed surrounding businesses, owner and operator Matt McMillan is back in action.

“I’m excited, feeling very positive and ready to get back into it,” he said.

“(I’ve) been trying to keep myself busy, put my head down and get in here as soon as I could.”

Overseas at the time of the fire, Matt flew back early to see the damage to his business, the winner of the 2024 Campaspe Murray Business Awards Best in Retail Award.

Matt and his proud mum, Tracie Kyne. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Eight weeks on, the space at 18 Moore St has been transformed from the former Graeme Nelson Motors showroom.

In a short period of time, the support of Matt’s friends, family and the wider Rochy community has helped The Town Barber find a new home.

“It’s awesome, I’m really proud,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of help.

“Maple Street Joinery did the bench and the shelves; Richard Peacock, he’s a chippy and a jack of all trades, he helped me with most of the construction; my stepfather (Justin Kyne) is an electrician so he was helping a lot as well; a couple of friends helped with a bit of painting and this and that.”

Rochester Lions Club members brought their trailer and tongs along to the new site on Friday, January 31 for a reopening barbecue, with many of Matt’s support network coming along to celebrate.

Rochester Lions Club volunteers Paul Butler, Ken Hocking, Julia Butler, Belinda Cooper Green, Ann Chirnside and James Pearson were on barbecue duties. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Bookings opened on Wednesday, January 29 for a Saturday, February 1 reopening day, with the week ahead booked out in 16 hours.

Matt’s first client on Saturday morning journeyed all the way from Ballarat for his haircut, a show of the far-reaching loyalty and support shown to the business.

Many of Matt’s local customers have been holding out for The Town Barber to reopen.

“A lot of people haven’t had a haircut for the past eight weeks because they’ve been waiting,” Matt said.

Appointments can be booked through the-town-barber-rochester.square.site/

The Town Barber is located at 18 Moore St, Rochester and is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 5.30pm, Thursdays and Fridays 10am to 7.30pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.