Lighting the fire of empathy, one conversation at a time.
As an Australian of the Year Award winner Craig Hollywood is a valued member of the Australian social impact landscape. Through the power of a conversation the value Craig brings to society is of national and global importance.
Not only is he an innovative motivational speaker and businessman with a knack for thinking outside the box, but the work that he puts back into the community has the power to truly inspire.
Current Work:
Craig understands the power of a conversation. And is the Founder of Short Back and Sidewalks. A social impact movement providing free haircuts and conversations with some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
Having started in a car park in Perth in 2015 Short Back & Sidewalks now operates across the continent and continues to positively impact people’s lives by providing a consistent, judgement free service which helps to break the stigma often attached to those in need.
Having lost a family member who experienced homelessness, Craig set out to find a way to help some of the most at-risk people in our society.
Craig’s story about positively impacting communities through the simple act of giving a free haircut and having a chat is inspiring the next generation of giving across the country and beyond.
He believes collaboration is key to any success, but first we must connect with each other on a human level.
Craig is a humble, community leader who thinks differently about how we can change society for the better, together as one.
An expert collaborator and team builder, he shares stories of the power of positive connections and making a difference by activating our social consciousness.
Craig truly embodies what is good about society, and his openness, humility and determination for more inclusivity is inspiring.
Not only is Craig an engaging and charismatic motivational speaker who talks from the heart, but his inspirational story and message will leave a lasting impact that will allow you to think differently about the mark we want to leave in this world.
Talking Points
The Power of Conversations, Positive Connections and Collaboration
Can we embrace our ideas and work better together after so much time apart? In this presentation Craig unpacks how a simple idea went on to change the lives of over 10,000 people.The Power of Conversations, Positive Connections and Collaboration
Who this is for:
- Those interested in encouraging inclusion and collaboration in the workplace/board room/sports field
- For those that would like to make a positive difference in their communities and to their companies.
Key Takeaways:
- Collaboration is key to any success.
- Embracing ideas, being creative and thinking differently about contributing to society.
- Thinking outside the box can be a game-changer (Reframing the conventional to the inspirational).
What tangible outcomes will you be able to attribute to your ROI on this presentation?
- Greater collaboration and willingness to embrace ideas.
- Pressing the refresh button on the conventional can have game-changing impacts.
- Honing in on ideas can change the game for everyone
- Stronger social consciousness in support of corporate responsibilities.
- Gaining awareness of the tangible mental health benefits and positive impact that volunteering can provide to people and their staff.
Video
Craig Hollywood | Saxton Speakers
Craig Hollywood | 2022 Western Australia's Local Hero | Short Back & Sidewalks
In 2015, Craig pitched the idea of offering free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness to a barbershop in Perth. Calling it Short Back & Sidewalks, it has since grown into a national for-impact organisation that’s gone from strength to strength. Since the days of heading to car parks in the Perth suburb of Northbridge with a couple of barbers, Short Back & Sidewalks now has around 350 volunteers on its books. Over the years it’s given out over 7,400 free haircuts, regularly operating alongside some of Australia’s largest service providers. Initially set up to help members of the community experiencing homelessness, Short Back & Sidewalks has now expanded its reach. It also supports young people at risk, women with lived experience of domestic violence, and remote communities where a haircut isn’t easily accessible. Craig can’t cut hair (he’s an engineer) but knows the difference a sharp new haircut and a conversation can make to someone’s day. For his work Craig was named as the 2022 Western Australia’s Local Hero in the Australian Of The Year Awards and the City Of Perth Citizen Of The Year for 2022. By giving free haircuts, Craig is creating connections with vulnerable community members and providing positive benefits to volunteers across Australia - ultimately building a stronger and more inclusive community.Craig Hollywood | The Project | Short Back & Sidewalks
Many of us take getting a haircut for granted, but for those in need, it can be a struggle. Short Back and Sidewalks is giving free haircuts to those who need them, without judgement.Craig Hollywood, Local Hero WA 2021 is an engaging, charismatic, passionate person who embodies what is good about society and allows all of us to think differently about the mark we want to ... keep reading National Australia Day Council
Craig isn’t a hairdresser, social worker or expert on homelessness - he is an empathic listener and great conversationalist. It is these connections formed through his charity Short Back & Sidewalks that create the biggest impact on our community
Craig is a community leader who understands the power of a positive connection. Craig is an expert collaborator, he seeks to ensure the services of Short Back & Sidewalks are coordinated and easy to access. Craig believes no one service or organisation can singlehandedly end homelessness, but by bringing resources together to provide better wrap-around support, that we have a real opportunity to do better for the Aussies who need us most.
I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to Craig Hollywood for a wonderful talk at the Volunteering WA AGM. I speak for myself, team, Board and our members in saying how special and stand-out Craig made the occasion. I was thrilled that so many of our guests said how much they loved his talk and how great it aligned with Volunteering WA’s purpose and AGM, a great combination. Craig's humility and humongous heart are wonderful traits and make him a very special and extraordinary human being. He is an incredible champion for homeless people and volunteering, and I hope we can continue to support Craig in his endeavours in the future.
Craig Hollywood is warm, engaging and has a deep passion for giving without judgement to all members of the community in Australia. I've witnessed first-hand the work he and his organisation Short Back & Sidewalks are doing to create a more inclusive and judgement-free world for all. Craig is an engaging speaker who talks from the heart and I can understand why he is Western Australia's Local Hero as part of the Australian Of The Year Awards
Craig Hollywood is a passionate, down-to-earth, community leader. I’ve witnessed the community work Craig and his team do to help those who are in need. His openness, humility and determination for more inclusivity is inspiring.
The work of Craig Hollywood and his organisation Short Back & Sidewalks has had a significant and positive impact on members of our local community. Craig’s commitment to breaking the stigma that is often attached to people experiencing homelessness is inspirational.
We were delighted to work with Craig Hollywood on our recent Western Australia Destination Showcase events, in which we hosted prospective clientele in both Melbourne and Sydney. Aside from being the 2022 Australian of the Year, Western Australia’s local hero and all-round inspiring individual, Craig was an asset to our presentations, echoing an understanding of the value of positive connections and positively impacting others. Craig was so personable with all the clients, truly a ‘people person’ with a genuine care and interest in others that shines through. His story is inspirational and thought-provoking, and paired with amazing energy and a great sense of humour, his very relevant and inspirational message left a lasting impact on our audience. We couldn’t recommend his services enough!
Every speaker has a story. Craig Hollywood's story is truly unique. He engages the audience from the moment he starts and keeps them engaged as he shares the Short Back & Sidewalks journey. Craig is ideal for any time slot in an event but if you really want to make an impact, make him first or last speaker and he'll leave the audience with a fire in their belly about their own possibilities and what they could achieve.
