Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce gets styled by retiring Armidale barber Roy Cowley on his final day

After more than 70 years, Armidale barber Roy Cowley has hung up the clippers. He's been a good listener.

Patience and a keen ear make a great barber Mr Cowley said, and every client is different.

"I've had the best job in the world because of the fellowship that goes with it," he said.

"Some guys need someone to talk to more than a haircut, and for me, it is very satisfying to be able to help somebody with a problem they've got."

One of his last customers was the Acting Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce.

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Mr Cowley has worked out of his Jessie Street shop for 45 years. He started his career as an apprentice three days after leaving school in 1949 when he was just shy of 15 years old.

He isn't sure how many haircuts he has done over the years, but said it would be thousands as he cut hair for up to 200 men a week in his heyday.

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