When Australia’s early politicians were considering names for the nation’s new capital, they chose to turn their back on the tradition of paying tribute to an English dignitary. Instead, they chose Canberra, a word meaning “meeting place” in the local Ngunnawal language.

It’s obviously an apt description for a city in which our government routinely gathers to debate and decide the matters which underpin our society. But, when it comes to Canberra’s social scene, is ‘meeting place’ too generous? Is it really hard to get to know people in this place?

I’ve heard all sort of opinions…from Canberra being far more warm than ‘cliquey’ Sydney to it being described as “the loneliest place I’ve ever been.”

Four years ago, recently arrived in the Capital, Sa believed the latter. Around 1am on a freezing winter’s night, she turned up exhausted at Woden Police Station with a hastily packed suitcase. “I’ve got no money, no friends and nowhere to go. Please send me back to Vietnam” she said. She had only arrived in Australia a few months earlier and her dream of a happily married life in Canberra was well and truly shattered.

The sympathetic police officer encouraged her to call the only person she knew – a local nail salon owner. The owner felt so sorry for Sa that she gave her a place to live, a job and trained her in all aspects of the nail salon industry. Sa worked hard every day of the year and studied English every night. She had a natural talent for nail design, a genuine connection with people and quickly became a popular identity and highly sought after by customers and salon owners throughout Canberra.

She now owns Gossip Nail Salon at Majura Park with her husband, Michael Linegar, and he says her work made her feel less disconnected from family and friends in Vietnam and more able to adjust to a new culture, language and way of life.

“Sa threw herself into her work, which seems to be how she deals with stress, but I think really it was the conversations with people and an affinity with their stories that helped her through the hard times. I think when people walk in the front door Sa sees a chance to assist the person to express their beauty but also to have a have a fun and sometimes soulful conversation.”

While having your nails ‘done’ may seem an unlikely way to socialise, bringing their customers together is a real focus for Sa and Michael. They’ll be holding mini-parties in the salon to give customers who have an interest in fashion and nail art a chance to meet and develop new friendships.

“I suspect people think of us as naive” claims Michael, “but we agreed that the driving force of Gossip Nail Salon would never be money. It would be about creating a truly beautiful environment that creates beautiful moments”.

Michael says Sa loves the art side of her work and is a genuine ‘nail artist’ – she loves getting to know the person’s personality and fashion style and making an original design that expresses that in art.

“Having said that, though, I sometimes feel that Sa only runs the nail salon because she enjoys the conversation with people! Many of her customers have turned into genuine friends – even more exciting is when we see friendships developing between customers who would otherwise not have met!” says Michael.

“I’m a typical male Aussie and I’m pretty oblivious to the whole nail salon industry. But when you see the excitement in the eyes of Sa’s customers it gets you motivated. They write the most grateful comments on our facebook page. Hundreds of ladies interested in the latest nail designs, fashion and health that have followed Sa from Gunghalin to Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong and now to the salon’s new home in Majura Park – all through word-of-mouth.”

Sa’s story is a lovely example of just how embracing the Canberra community can be in times of crisis. For Sa, the kindness shown her has inspired her to use her blossoming business to help other Canberra women form friendships. Who knows? Your next Gossip Nail Salon appointment could bring so much more than just gorgeous nails…

To find out more about Gossip Nail Salon visit their website or call 6230 5008 to make a booking.

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