The former mayor and Lithgow councillor is celebrating 50 years of hairdressing in 2019. 

While Maree was modelling for Grace Brothers (now known as Myer) in 1969 she was approached by a friend of her mums to start a hairdressing apprenticeship. 

Maree, just 15 at the time, jumped at the chance as it was "something she always wanted to do". 

Working at two Bathurst salons for four years, Maree then moved to Portland where in 1973 she opened her own salon. 

She then moved the salon to Wallerawang where she spent 13 years before deciding to move back to Portland and work from home. 

"I have no regrets, I absolutely love it and wouldn't change a thing," she said. 

Growing up Maree was "fortunate" to have six siblings whose hair she could cut while they all lived at home.

"I had plenty of subjects to practise on," she laughed.

Maree has won awards during her hairdressing career including 'Peoples Choice 2005' and 'Personal Service Award 2002' from the Lithgow Business Association award nights and Champion of Champions NSW Hair and Beauty Salon 2003. 

"The most important thing, that is more important than any of the awards, is the friendships I have made that have sustained decades," she said. 

"The reward of seeing people still have faith and come to you." 

Maree said that hairdressing had been good to her, allowing her to learn about people in the community, and becoming a confidant to so many.  

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"The most important thing is trust, your clients trust in you both for their hair and counsel," she said. 

Only taking one week off a year, Maree makes sure she is always around for her clients. The longest she spent away from the salon was one month when she was in hospital in Sydney. 

"I value my clients patronage and even two weeks away feels like enough time," she said. 

Maree's favourite thing to do in the salon is wedding parties and formal hair do's. 

"I just like the challenge of doing something different and creating a look that is special to those people," she said. 

Maree has been given opportunities such as doing Marjorie Jackson's hair for the 2000 Olympics, a politician's hair, an actress and runway looks. 

"It really has been a wonderful journey, I can't imagine not doing this," she said. 

Maree said she was lucky to have a home based business because it meant that she could run for council, which was a huge commitment. 

"It is the best of both worlds, because I could choose the hours I work," she said. 

"It gave me flexible hours to be on committees and volunteer with different organisations." 

Maree said her salon was like a community, and felt very personal due to it being at her home.

"These clients become a part of your life, they were there and supported me when I became mayor and also when I lost my husband, they really rallied around me and supported me during this time," she said.

One of the best parts of being hairdresser, Maree said, was watching children grow into adults and being able to do hair for special occasions in their lives. 

"To see who they have grown into as young adults... I am just fortunate to get to work close to them, that trust is rewarding." 

Having survived the changes in the industry, Maree planned to stick around and had some solid advice for those chasing their dreams. 

"Back then I never would've thought I would be living on a farm, still doing hairdressing, but I think why stop if love doing it?" she said.

"If you are wanting to pursue a dream, work hard and believe you can do it." 

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