Short Back & Sidewalks Founder Craig Hollywood Named As One Of The Australian Of Year Awards Finalists

It was just under a year ago that we introduced you to Craig Hollywood, the Perth-based Founder and CEO of Short Back & Sidewalks (SBSW), an initiative delivering haircuts to people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage or marginalisation. From little things big things grow, and since its inception in 2015 the charity has now expanded across Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

After starting off as three volunteers offering free haircuts around Perth, SBSW has grown to over 250 volunteers, and partnered with organisations like RUAH, St Vincent de Paul, Mission Australia, and Orange Sky Laundry to support people in need. And after this exceptional period of growth Hollywood finds himself nominated as a finalist in the Local Hero category of the Australian Of The Year Awards for 2022!

“Short Back & Sidewalks is about creating meaningful connections with people while providing professional haircutting services,” Mr Hollywood said. “I didn’t want to see people isolated. I didn’t want to see the difference between “have” and the “have-nots”. What we offer may not meet all their needs but this is a chance to give people what money can’t buy. Respect and confidence.”

“Being nominated for this award is an honour, but more than anything I hope it provides an opportunity to get more people involved with Short Back & Sidewalks,” he added. “Right now, we’re recruiting volunteers to join us at Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park… If you’re a hairdresser or barber and want to give back this Christmas, please check out our website and sign up to volunteer.”

Hollywood joins Kenneth Gibbons (Telethon Community Cinemas Founder), Professor Leonard Collard (Professor at the UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies), and Catrina Aniere (CEO of Millennium Kids) as fellow Local Hero nominees. You can learn about all the nominees for Australian Of The Year, Senior Australian Of The Year and Young Australian Of The Year via the Australian Of The Year Website.

Image: Supplied.