Real
Lives
Breaking Down
Story thanks to Amanda Cranston
Making a name for herself with her indigenous clothing range and design business, Banggarru Deadly Wear, Rose Henry has finally found her niche. Raising her two daughters (Hayley 9 and Taylah
Rose has worked hard to build up the brand since
you are spending more time on one than the
5) on her own, Rose says she loves that she is
she launched it as JR Apparel in 2008 with the
other, but it is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “I
able to provide for them while fulfilling her
future vision of supplying all indigenous sports
also have the flexibility to take my kids to school,
own dreams. “My business actually started out
teams, businesses and organisations in Australia
I try not to work after three in the afternoons
as a hobby but after my girls were born I found
as well as overseas. “I spent six to nine months
so I can spend time with them and help with
myself wanting to do something while they slept
researching before starting the business, but it
homework, we try to keep all sport and hobbies
during the day like many new mums,” she says.
has been persistence and determination that has
to only weekends and I try to keep a good
While Rose initially studied teaching and holds
seen it grow,” she says. “This year I changed the
routine at home.” Rose says her girls are also very
a teaching degree, it was her time managing
name to Banggarru Deadly Wear, as Banggarru
independent which helps and this allows her
touch football teams that had the most influence
is my Aboriginal name, meaning freshwater
to work extra hours when needed to fulfil client
on her as she was given the freedom to design
turtle in my Jirrbal tribal language. And of course
commitments.
the team’s uniforms. “People would comment on
deadly means wow, awesome, it’s so deadly.”
my indigenous designs all the time, saying how unique they were and how much they stood out from other teams,” Rose says. “Now I design sportswear, workwear, banners and flags for a growing list of clients.”
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Rose says since she has been operating her business she has seen many mainstream companies copy and branch out doing aboriginal designs, but Rose says her clients are attracted to her range because her designs are true to
While the Banggarru Deadly Wear range is only available online at the moment or at the various festivals and carnivals Rose attends, Rose would like
Rose’s deadly designed apparel incorporates
her own indigenous culture. Born and bred in
sportswear for touch football, rugby league,
Atherton and now living in Cairns, Rose wants
netball, basketball, cricket, AFL, soccer, cycling
her children to grow up understanding their
and triathlons and many other sports. The
Aboriginal heritage while also being inspired
workwear is designed individually for each client
by a mother who runs her own business. “As all
with Queensland Health and Aboriginal Hostels
working mums would agree, juggling both work
For more info on Banggarru Deadly
Limited being just a few of her corporate clients.
and family often leaves you feeling guilty that
Wear visit www.banggarru.com.au
to pursue other retail opportunities for the business in the future, as well as expanding her range both in Australia and globally.
www.pakmag.com.au
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