05/01/2026
Today, we open The Spa Rooms doors again for the New Year.
It feels bittersweet.
There is real excitement around what we are creating and building in the months ahead. Still, that feeling is quietly held alongside deep sadness following the tragic passing of Berowraās beautiful Mel Austin.
On Christmas Eve, as I walked past the salon with my coffee, I popped in to say Merry Christmas and to tell Mel and the girls how beautiful they looked in their sparkly dresses. I still cannot believe that was the last time I would see her.
As a fellow Wideview mum and local business owner, our paths crossed almost daily. Melās smile was one of those familiar constants, the kind that makes Berowra feel like home.
Walking past the salon now, with the lights off, there is a heaviness that catches in my chest. I know I am not alone in feeling that.
This loss has touched all of us. Not only because Mel and her family were known and loved, but because she did what only a parent could do. She gave her life to save her son. When you are a parent, that truth lands deeply.
What has stayed with me is how people speak about Mel. The stories, the memories, and the love being shared speak volumes about who she was and the impact she had on those around her.
This week, all proceeds from the sale of our bunches of $25 roses will go directly to the GoFundMe set up for Melās family.
Vale, beautiful Mel. You will always be part of this community š
