Susanna Freymark
If only Rex Page’s barber chair could speak – what stories it would tell.
His son David Page donated one of the two chairs from the Rex Page Hairdresser shop that was at 43 Summerland Way for 67 years to the Kyogle Museum.
Rex died in 2023, aged 97.
“He was a character,” David said.
“He knew everyone and he’s sadly missed in town.”
Rex would have heard many stories as locals sat in the chair while Rex snipped their hair.
“He bought the barber chairs in 1946,” David said.
The Kyogle barber shop had a counter for Gooleys Dry-cleaning, he sold cigarettes, some fishing gear and ammunition.
Rex did his hairdresser apprenticeship with Bill Birkbeck, then went to war, David said.
When Rex returned to Kyogle, he rented the Summerland Way shop from his father in law Dave Burton.
He put the two vintage barber chairs in the shop.
“He gave Juicy Fruit and PK chewing gum to the kids,” David said. “And lollipops.”
Rex was 89 years old when he closed the doors for the final time.
The children who got their haircut by Rex would be in their 40s and 50s now, David said.
And they can now see the unique barber chair at the museum.
David said the perk of having a father who could cut hair meant he’s never paid for a haircut in his life.
“When I went into the army, I got free haircuts,” he said.
“Dad taught a lady how to cut hair, she cut mine, I never paid.”
David has another barber chair from Rex’s shop and is looking for somewhere public, and safe that the chair can be displayed. Where do you think it should go?
See the barber chair at Kyogle Museum at 19 Bloore Street, Kyogle.
Opening times:
Tuesday – 10am-1pm
Thursday – 10am-2pm
Saturday – 9am-1pm