From Glasgow to Perth: Craig Hollywood's Journey of Empathy

We are back for our 6th season of the Welcome to Perth catchups podcast that brings you inspiring stories and in-depth conversations with remarkable individuals making a difference in our community. In this episode, we sit down with Craig Hollywood, the 2023 Australian of the Year for Western Australia, founder of the charity Short Back & Sidewalks, civil engineer, and Deputy Defense Lead. Craig shares his journey from Glasgow to Perth, his passion for helping those experiencing homelessness, and how he manages to balance his professional career with his dedication to social causes. Tune in for an engaging and heartwarming discussion that highlights the power of empathy, community, and personal connection.

Craig begins by sharing his background, growing up in a challenging area in Glasgow and witnessing the struggles of those around him, including his uncle who battled with homelessness and addiction. These experiences planted the seed for his empathy and desire to help others. After moving to Australia, Craig recognized a similar need in his new community and founded Short Back & Sidewalks in a Perth car park.

Throughout the conversation, Craig discusses the rapid expansion of the charity from Perth to major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, as well as its recent regional outreach in Western Australia. He talks about the impactful moments and stories from the charity's journey, including the first haircut given and how it changed a man's life by helping him secure a job.

In addition to his charity work, Craig touches on his career as a civil engineer and his role as Deputy Defense Lead, highlighting the balance he maintains between his demanding job and his commitment to social work. Craig's story is a testament to the profound impact one person can have through compassion and community service. His dedication to improving the lives of others and his vision for the future of Short Back & Sidewalks is both inspiring and motivating. Don't miss this episode to learn more about Craig's incredible journey and the meaningful work of Short Back & Sidewalks.

To check out what his charity is up to or to get in touch, you can follow them on instagram @short_back_and_sidewalks & hit them up directly if you’d like to volunteer.