Dominic makes the final cut

By Shaun Inguanzo
The 66-year-old will next week retire after nearly 30 years at the Southvale shop in Springvale South, in which he has snipped his way to many friendships and memorable moments.
“I have been here since 22 February 1979,” Mr Paduano said proudly.
“In the early days I’d have between 18 and 25 people a day, but that has dropped down a little bit over the years.
“But you still get people who have loved to come in, and who have known you for that long – and yes there are quite a few of them – and all you have to ask is ‘the same?’ and they say yes.”
Mr Paduano said he migrated to Australia from Lazio, Italy, in 1963 and tried his hand at a few jobs before settling into cutting hair.
“When I started there was only a strip of shops at front here – nothing at the back,” Mr Paduano said.
The business and Springvale have grown since, and Mr Paduano admitted that he might find retirement hard to handle.
“It was a very hard decision to make,” he said.
“Eventually, everything good comes to an end, I guess.
“But I’m 66 and have got to slow it down a bit. I’ve been approached for the last two months for someone to take over the business, and I thought about it very hard.
“Some customers got a bit upset, but most of them said they were happy, and sorry to hear I’m going.
“They know I have been here a long time.”
Mr Paduano said he wanted to thank his customers – many who had become friends – for their support of his business.
“They have been my customers and friends. I am lost for words. I just want to thank them for their support.”
Mr Paduano will cut his last mop of hair at Southvale Hairdressers on Friday 31 October.