Carmine Cantone, a seasoned barber with over 50 years of experience, has carved out a niche for himself in Narrandera, in the heart of the Riverina, New South Wales. His parents, originally from a small Italian village, emigrated to Adelaide in the 1930’s.
His journey has since taken him across different landscapes, from Adelaide to Bourke, Byrock, Cobar, and Wagga Wagga, before finally settling in Narrandera. With a passion for his trade and a love for community, Carmine has found the perfect blend of opportunity and lifestyle in his new home.
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Carmine’s move to Narrandera was driven by both business and personal considerations. After running four hairdressing outlets in Wagga Wagga, he noticed a shift in consumer behaviour. Online shopping and changing market dynamics led him to explore new locations. Narrandera, with its welcoming community and strong demand for a traditional barber, presented an opportunity too good to pass up.
"I was based in Cobar before moving to Wagga, and my eldest son was at university there, so we moved to support him. We found country towns to be very friendly, and there are a lot of resources if you go looking for them," Carmine explains. "Narrandera looked like a nice little town, and we were seeing a lot of clients coming over to Wagga from there. Once I started coming here regularly, meeting the locals, and getting involved in cultural activities, it felt like home."
This transition was further cemented when he was approached to sell his Wagga outlets. "That was the perfect opportunity to move permanently," he says. "I had already made friends, and acquaintances, and was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. It's very family-oriented—just smile at someone here, and they smile back. They invite you into their homes, which you don't experience in the city anymore."
Beyond the business opportunity, Narrandera’s architecture played a crucial role in Carmine’s decision. "I love old buildings. When this one came up for sale, I saw the potential. I haven't quite embraced the modern age yet—if it doesn’t work on steam, I can’t operate it!" he jokes.
“When we purchased it with the intentions of becoming my home and my place of work. We started scratching the surface and realised we had to go right back to the basics for renovation. It's been a lot more work than I expected, but I enjoy it.”
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Carmine’s business model is unique in the region, focusing exclusively on men’s grooming. "When I moved to Narrandera, there was a local barber, but he was quite ill. By catering solely to male clients, I found a large opening in the market, and I've got a very good following" he explains.
His expertise and personable nature have helped him build a loyal customer base. "I have a broad spectrum of clients. We don’t just do haircuts—we create a relaxed atmosphere. Clients come in, sit down, chat, and have a coffee. I've had a few that come in and make their own coffee sit down and make it for a couple of other clients. It’s just about being friendly, and some clients have really become friends. It’s about friendship as much as it is about business."
Carmine has structured his business to ensure he enjoys a balanced life. "I work Wednesday to Saturday, opening at 9:30 AM and closing at 5 PM on weekdays, with Saturdays running from 9 AM to noon. But if I have clients who can’t make it during regular hours, I stay open later. Some nights I’m here until 8 or 9 PM."
Saturdays fluctuate depending on local events. "During football season, Saturdays might be quieter, but I still open for a few hours to be available. Being in a country town, if I need to close for any reason, I just put a note on the door. Clients will check in later to see if I’m okay. It all balances out."
The days off are spent restoring his historic building, a project he is deeply passionate about. "I love working on the restoration. It's something I enjoy, and it complements my work life beautifully."
One of the most striking aspects of Narrandera, according to Carmine, is its welcoming nature. "People here embrace you with open arms. All it takes is a smile, and they’ll talk to you in the street. If you’ve been closed for a day, they’ll ask where you were and if everything’s okay. It’s not superficial; people genuinely care."
The sense of community extends beyond his clients. "Here, I might walk down to the shops and for me, and you'll end up chatting to people along the way. The mailman's the same, he'll chat to you in the street and if he's got your mail, he’ll hand it to you when you're walking past. It’s more than just a job to most of these people, it's part of their social structure.”
Nestled in the heart of the Riverina, Narrandera Shire offers a welcoming atmosphere, saturated with natural beauty, rich culture and history. The town’s name comes from the Wiradjuri word "Narrungdera," meaning "place of lizard or goanna," a nod to the rich Indigenous heritage of the area.
With a population of nearly 6,000 people and covering 4,118 square kilometres, Narrandera has long been a place where history and opportunity meet. The region is home to not just Narrandera but also the close-knit villages of Barellan, Binya, Grong Grong, Kamarah, and Sandigo, all contributing to the unique character of the area.
The town is also well-connected—just 554km from Sydney, 338km from Canberra, and 433km from Melbourne—making it an ideal place for those looking to escape the hustle of the city while still staying in touch with the world.
For Carmine, this blend of history, opportunity, and hospitality made Narrandera the perfect place to put down roots and bring his old-world craftsmanship to a new home.
Carmine’s love for hands-on craftsmanship extends beyond barbering. "I do leather work and make pieces. I’ve met other Italians here, so I’ve been able to get back into salami making, preserving – olives and grapes, tomatoes sauce. I like doing things from scratch and making things. For example, with the leather work, I like to learn how to do something and then try it, I’m very tactile.I was also once into archery, making my own arrows. "
His background in wool classing is another fascinating aspect of his past. "I've got a professional wool-classing ticket, I did wool-classing, and we bought a sheep station and I topped the wool pricing industry for 6-7 years. We sold it eventually, but at the time I had taken South Australian sheep out of Queensland, because their wool becomes finer, and we got down to 21 microns which is very fine.”
For anyone thinking of moving to a town like Narrandera, Carmine has simple advice: "Do it!"
"The hardest part is taking the first step, but once you do, you’ll find incredible support. Council is a great place to start if you need guidance. Housing is affordable, there are schools for your children, and plenty of work opportunities if you look for them. If you’ve got a business idea, try it. The community will back you."
Ultimately, regional living offers a different kind of richness. "We might be out of town, but we’re not out of touch. And the pressure isn’t there like in the city. Here, life is about connection, support, and a sense of belonging."
Carmine Cantone’s journey from a bustling city barber to a beloved regional figure proves that sometimes, the best opportunities aren’t in the fast-paced urban centres but in the heart of a small town where a smile still goes a long way.
Find out more about Narrandera Shire here, or contact us for more information about a Country Change to the region.
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