When he started as a 15-year-old in the 70s, the Merrylands resident said everyone had long hair but the styles gradually got shorter and shorter.
“Now, all the younger generation want an American marine buzz cut, that’s what I call it anyway, with just a little bit left long on top,” he said.
“The style certainly gives new meaning to the old ‘short back and sides’; whatever styles are big in America tend to come here too.”
Looking forward to retiring now that he is 66, Michael plans to join the local men’s shed and the swimming club.
He says Guildford is vastly different today compared with when he was first mastering the clippers.
“It was more like a sleepy village, just with houses and not much else,” he said.
“Now there’s rows and rows of units and shops plus the community today is very diverse.
“I’ve cut hair for customers of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds but everyone is basically the same, just wanting to be happy and allowed to raise their family in peace.”
With two grown-up sons, Michael and wife Julie are hoping to do some travelling but he says he will no doubt miss being at the barber’s coalface.
“It’s been a big part of my life for 51 years but I’m excited for the future,” he said.
