Kaz Collins has been coming to Moree for a week every two months with her husband, who is a visiting podiatrist.

During her week in Moree every couple of months, Kaz, a fully-qualified hairdresser and keen artist, decided she would like to do art classes to fill in the time.

So she came across the studio behind Moree Plains Gallery and began participating in Janelle Boyd’s art classes.

However, it wasn’t long before Kaz was offering her services as a hairdresser for free to some of the young indigenous girls at the studio, many of whom had never had a professional haircut.

“I walked around the streets trying to find an art class and I wandered in here, spoke to Janelle and started doing art because I like art,” Kaz said.

“I went from doing art to doing a couple of young girls’ hair to boost their self-esteem and morale.”

Now, every time Kaz comes back to Moree, she fills in her week by going to the gallery to do her art and dedicates one full day to doing free haircuts and foils for the girls and women who are involved in art and education classes at the studio.

With her big box of hairdressing equipment on hand, Kaz sets up outside the studio where she is flat out doing hair for those who would normally not be able to afford the luxury.

While she was in town last week, she did 10 haircuts in one day.

“It’s all about making people feel good and be happy,” she said.

“When I get my haircut I feel like a million dollars and that’s how I want these girls to feel.

“The majority of my clients here have never had a professional haircut.”

One of her clients at the gallery studio is Wendy Craigie who said Kaz’s gesture is “so nice”.

“I just think she’s got such a kind heart to be thinking of other people,” she said.

“People walk away and just feel different and good about themselves.”

Kaz has even inspired one young girl to go back to school and finish her studies so she can become a hairdresser.

“She’s gone back to school and is doing a school-based traineeship now,” Kaz said.

Moree Plain’s Gallery education officer Janelle Boyd said what Kaz is doing for these girls is wonderful.

“The kids love it,” she said.

“It gives them something to look forward to and makes them feel a lot better.”

The girls aren’t the only ones who love it – Kaz said she benefits from doing their hair just as much as they enjoy getting their hair done.

“I get so much joy out of it was well, so it’s really nice,” she said.