1935 - 2023

An icon of early Bondi, Paul “Sweeney” Curran was a popular barber and a local larrakin. A larger-than-life character, he enjoyed cutting hair, smoking cigarettes and telling stories – often simultaneously. In his 34 years at 138 Glenayr Avenue, Paul amassed a following of loyal customers. Local families affectionately referred to him as ‘Uncle Paul the Barber’ and recall fond memories sitting in the big chair. Paul always had a joke to crack, a trick up his sleeve or a fib to tell – and you never knew what you were going to get. 

A cheeky entrepreneur, Paul saw infinite opportunities doing business in Bondi. You could always grab a bargain at Paul Curran’s barber shop thanks to his plethora of quirky connections. Paul considered himself a jack-of-all-trades and, despite having never driven a car in his life, often doubled as a pink-slip dealer. Paul and best friend Harry Smith capitalised on the rise of skateboarding culture in the 1970s and began making longboards in a Blair Street garage – and selling them from the barber shop front window. Paul’s barber skills and shop were put on display on rock artist G.W. McLennan’s album art for Watershed in 1991.

Paul was a community-based man who loved Bondi. His most treasured item – an original watermarked copy of 1937 Miss Bondi Surf Queen, Pearl Schweig. The framed photo was displayed in the barber shop for close to four decades. When Pearl came chasing after it in the 90s, he refused to sell it to her. Several others tried to buy the photo on her behalf, but he wouldn’t part with the piece of history.

Paul met his wife Carol at Bates Milk Bar on Campbell Parade in 1955. Together, they raised two children in Bondi. Paul took many of his children's friends under his wing as ‘Uncle Paul’.   

Paul was a Bondi man through and through - and would ask 'Been to Bondi lately?' until the very end. Paul passed away in December 2023. 

Courtesy Olivia Grace-Curran.