Outback hairdresser a 'hero' to Wilcannia residents longing for a pampering

Source: “Outback hairdresser a ‘hero’ to Wilcannia residents longing for a pampering,” ABC News, Katherine Spackman & Coquohalla Connor, 11 September 2025.

For Juliann Mutch, the journey from Mildura in north-west Victoria to Wilcannia in far west New South Wales is filled with memories.

While she now lives in Mildura, she grew up not far from Wilcannia, on a station called Mona Vale.

For the past four years, she's been making the 1,000-kilometre round trip to Wilcannia every six weeks to cut locals' hair.

But for Mrs Mutch, it's about more than styling hair. She says the stories and community the far west has to offer keep her coming back.

"These women work so hard in the outback," she said.

"I love to be able to spoil them a little bit and just spend time with them and I just admire them. I think they're amazing."