I am a creative with skills that sit within hairdressing, photography and writing.

I grew up on a fourth generation Grazier property in the village of Gooloogong on Wiradjuri country. The property sits between the banks of the Lachlan River and the Conimbla National Park.

Schooling was shared with 30 other students; kindergarten to year six, all snap-lock packed in the same room.  The memory of Lamington drives, door knock appeals and being chased down 1 of the 9 streets in Gooloogong by dogs of mix breed part dingo, part monster.

Days were spent in PCYC gymnasiums, athletic fields, swimming clubs and never ending hours of horse riding. You would catch me pillaging antique furniture from neighbouring dilapidated farm houses, dragging car bonnets behind motor bikes, planting trees with my grandfather, picking apricots and stirring custard with my grandmother.

Growing up I was acutely aware of surroundings and incredibly hypersensitive to the world, I struggled with the school education system. Girls. Boys. Humans in general.

At age 15 my mother suggested I should get a job to improve my state of mind.

At 16 I moved to Canberra were I was fortunate enough to step into an apprenticeship within a salon that regarded hairdressing more than a trade but an art form. The salon fuelled and supported my desire to be the greatest with what natural abilities I possessed. I would travel and work in award winning Sydney Salons in my holidays which led to permanently residing in Sydney, working with two times awarded Australia’s Hairdresser of the year, Brad Ngata.

Within that time I was in a long-term relationship with photographer Stefan Wellsmore. Stefan helped me understand my hypersensitivity and taught me how to photograph. A medium to realise my pain of anxiety and help me to meditate the beautiful mess we exist in.

“Days were spent in PCYC gymnasiums, athletic fields, swimming clubs and never ending hours of horse riding. You would catch me pillaging antique furniture from neighbouring dilapidated farm houses, dragging car bonnets behind motor bikes, planting trees with my grandfather, picking apricots and stirring custard with my grandmother.”

“Days were spent in PCYC gymnasiums, athletic fields, swimming clubs and never ending hours of horse riding. You would catch me pillaging antique furniture from neighbouring dilapidated farm houses, dragging car bonnets behind motor bikes, planting trees with my grandfather, picking apricots and stirring custard with my grandmother.”

As I grew from this experience, my travels home to my family property were filled with the need to make a change within the community that I grew up in. That community over the course of one generation had lost its young professionals to the larger towns and cities. Social groups disconnected, a lack of community sponsorship ceased sporting teams and religious congregations shut their doors and sold their land.

The township became distant to one and other but what stood was a community log cabin that hosted a small market of six stalls. I saw the opportunity to give my artistic skills of social media, photography and a Pop Up hair salon to expand the market to a greater audience and encourage social interaction, conversation and an outlet for creatives that lived in the region. The market now has attendance of 40+ stalls and is a regular on people’s calendars.

The name Mane and Tales stems from ‘Mane’ my love for my horse growing up. The ‘Tales’ are the incredible people I come to meet through hairdressing or complete strangers I walk past in the street. In instances when the sheer beauty of their appearance takes me aback, I will ask them to collaborate with me in styling their hair and capturing their portrait. These images are then exhibited on my website and social media.

Using the medium of photography and writing I’m determined to make Australians know their Australia better. I am naturally inclined to speak about our countrymen and countrywoman continually looking at ways to bridge a gap between our cultural history, our First Nations People and the back bone of where our food and resources comes from, rural Australia is my home and therefore my passion.

“….I’m determined to make Australians know their Australia better. I am naturally inclined to speak about our countrymen and countrywoman continually looking at ways to bridge a gap between our cultural history, our First Nations People and the back bone of where our food and resources comes from, rural Australia is my home and therefore my passion.”

“….I’m determined to make Australians know their Australia better. I am naturally inclined to speak about our countrymen and countrywoman continually looking at ways to bridge a gap between our cultural history, our First Nations People and the back bone of where our food and resources comes from, rural Australia is my home and therefore my passion.”

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COMMON PEOPLE #11

JANA STEWART, PETERSHAM NSW

From the beautiful landscape of Mornington Peninsula to the creative launchpad of Sydney’s Inner West, Jana Stewart shows us that nature and city life can co-exist. This budding Microbiologist has transformed a space to call her own , a Mini Mart inspired by a road trip through Japan it’s filled with greenery and local art and designed for people who think outside the box. Jana takes her plant show on the road with her Plant Parenthood Workshop teaching the basics and science behind keeping those plant pets alive.