One subject won't be discussed when Kareela barber shop reopens

"The last thing we want to talk about is COVID," Billy Hammoud, the proprietor of Billy's barbershop in Kareela Village, said in a Facebook post.

"Let's talk sports, family, friends, holidays, restaurants and everything else In between."

Mr Hammoud said they had "missed everyone and can't wait to get in there and rip in".

"Be patient with us as I think it will be busy and we do want to see you all so be patient, grab a coffee and it won't be long."

Mr Hammoud won widespread admiration after a Leader report in August that he and his brother Sam, who is also a barber at the salon, were working as builders labourers on a shire construction site during lockdown.

Mr Hammoud said in a post at the time, "Tough times don't last, tough people do".

"During these tough times we have had to learn a different type of work (hard yakka) because someone still has to pay the bills I guess," he wrote.

Mr Hammoud told the Leader in August, "We're pushing wheelbarrows and swinging shovels - stuff I haven't done before on this sort of scale".

"But, you have got to stay positive and, instead of sitting down and waiting for the government, get out there and look after yourself and your family."