David Prosser of Yamba is a proud Yaegl man who changed his career from teaching to cutting hair.

David who owns the Yamba Barber Shop in Yamba Road, Yamba said that he has been barbering for the last three and a half years and really enjoys what he is doing now.

“I realised when I started barbering that I no longer had school holidays and it was a big shock to the system,” David said.

“So, I thought, oh well, I’m in small business – I don’t get the holidays, but I can still keep the hours.

“It’s nice to be able to run your own business and set your own rules for your business. It’s a different journey, but I’m enjoying every minute of it,” he said.

With COVID-19 impacting on many businesses, the Independent asked David how his business has fared.

“I’m a sole trader and stayed open during the COVID period,” David said.

“While other barbers in the lower clarence closed, I was the last man standing.

“I think I picked up a few new clients, during that period,” he said.

David has recently joined the team at Yamba’s community radio station TLC 100.3 FM and in his spare time away from work enjoys taking to the airwaves, with the assistance of his offsider, companion dog ‘Angus’.

Independent – how long have you been a presenter with TLC 100.3 FM?

“I’ve been involved for around three months and I’m a presenter every Wednesday between 12noon and 2pm,” David said.

“My show is called the Guri Time – Guri means Aboriginal.

“During my timeslot, I usually read something from the Koori Mail, the locally based Aboriginal newspaper. If there’s no local stories I might read out a poem that I’ve come across during the week that I thought had a nice little message in it. I try my very best not to do any editorials as we’re a community radio and we have to keep everybody happy and I think that’s the key,” he said.

Independent – What got you involved in community radio?

“I was roped in by Graeme East who is very active in the community, we met at my barber shop where he gets his hair cut at times – so it’s his fault.”

Independent – Have you done any presenting before becoming involved at TLC?

“Yes, I’ve been involved in radio for a number of years, but this is just something to be a little bit more active within the community.”

Independent – what style of music do you play in your segment?

“The style of music lets just say, is anything black, but for the last hour of the show I like to try and play as much music and songs which have been written and produced and developed by Aboriginal people around the country.”

David said that he would like to encourage any young person to get involved in community radio.

“I think it’s really important and it’s also a great stage to be involved in the community and be active,” he said.

“There’s nothing wrong with playing music and it doesn’t matter where we come from, we all know what music is.

“I have a young Yaegl nephew of mine, Michael Birk, who has just finished writing a number of songs and I’ll be playing several of his songs from his album Harmonising, on air during my program.

“I think if you have a good and interesting repertoire, you’ll be a hit,” he said.