“For my grandkids, it was like being at the Logies!” says June Irving, founder of Bentleys Hair of Canberra, describing the moment she accepted two top honours at the 2024 Local Business Awards: Most Outstanding Business of the Year and Most Outstanding Hairdresser of the Year. For June, these accolades are a heartfelt celebration of everything—and everyone—that makes Bentleys so special. Having celebrated Bentleys’ 50^th birthday this year, the recognition holds even greater significance for her.

“Oh, it absolutely means the world to me,” she says. “After 50 years, it’s really nice. I have such a great team, and it’s wonderful for them as well to be acknowledged with something like this.”

June says Bentleys’ success wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of the local community. Some loyal clients have been visiting weekly for almost 50 years—a testament to the welcoming atmosphere and sense of community that Bentleys provides.

“I really want to thank the community. Without them, I don’t have a business,” says June. “This recognition belongs to the people who’ve supported us for so long. It’s an incredible feeling to know we’ve been part of their lives for so many years.”

In addition to the vital support of the community, June credits her incredible team for being instrumental in the salon’s journey and success. With some team members having been part of Bentleys for over a decade, June believes the awards are a true reflection of the whole team’s dedication.

“Obviously, I can’t win these by myself—it’s all about the incredible people I have around me. The accolades belong to them, I was just the receiver,” June says.

From the receptionist to the stylists, June says each team member plays a vital role in creating the welcoming atmosphere at Bentleys.

“We strive for excellence in everything we do, and that’s because of the dedication of every single person on the team.”

For June, the moment was made even more special by sharing it with her family. Her grandchildren walked her on stage during the ceremony, a memory she’ll treasure forever.

“Having my family there made it even more special, particularly the grandkids who actually walked me up on stage. Look, I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. Seeing how proud they were, along with my sons, my friends, and my daughter-in-law, was truly humbling,” she shared.

Reflecting on what has made Bentleys so special for 50 years, June humbly summed it up. “This isn’t just about me—it’s about the clients, the team, and the community who make it all possible,” she said.