Short Back & Sidewalks receives $360,000 pre-election funding commitment from Morrison Government

(L-R) Short Back & Sidewalks CEO and Founder Craig Hollywood; Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Minister for Social Services of Australia; David Dwyer, Liberal candidate for Perth; and Senator Dean Smith. Photo: Danica Zuks

MEDIA STATEMENT

Short Back & Sidewalks welcomes the pre-election funding commitment announced today by the Morrison Government.

If re-elected, the Morrison Government will give $360,000 over two years to Short Back & Sidewalks to enable us to continue delivering haircuts free of charge and free of judgement to people experiencing homelessness. This funding will also allow us to expand our services into regional Western Australia and create meaningful connections in our regional communities.

Craig Hollywood, Founder and CEO of Short Back & Sidewalks, said the Morrison Government’s support would allow the service to expand significantly.

“With this funding commitment we are aiming to provide 30,000 free haircuts and positive community connections per year by 2025,” Craig said.

Photo: Danica Zuks

Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston, said Short Back & Sidewalks leveraged the dignity of sitting down for a haircut to reach some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

“The Morrison Government is absolutely committed to breaking down barriers for Australians, and this all starts with feeling welcomed, confident and respected,” Minister Ruston said.

Craig, who is the 2022 Western Australian Local Hero and 2022 Perth Community Citizen, was invited to morning tea at The Lodge in January this year as part of the Australian of the Year awards program. 

“It was an honour to speak with Prime Minister Morrison at The Lodge and share with him the important work that Short Back & Sidewalks does in creating more inclusive communities,” Craig said.

The charity was founded in 2015 with a team of three volunteers offering free haircuts to vulnerable community members from a carpark in Northbridge.

Long-time Short Back & Sidewalks volunteer Julia Nicholas with a person using the haircutting service. Photo: Danica Zuks

Since then, Short Back & Sidewalks has provided more than 6,400 haircuts to people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage, or marginalisation.

The charity has more than 250 volunteers around the country; has expanded its operations across Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria; and partners with organisations like RUAH, St Vincent de Paul, Mission Australia, and Orange Sky Laundry to support people in need.

“I’m so proud that an idea that started in a local car park is helping to create positive connections with people experiencing homelessness across the country, and reducing stigma around homelessness in Australia,” Craig said.

“Our work at Short Back & Sidewalks is simple: we give haircuts to people free of charge and free of judgement.

“We want to help people look and feel their best, no matter what they’re going through in their lives at any given moment.”

Rest assured, if Labor wins on May 21, Short Back & Sidewalks is going to be taking this funding commitment to them as well, because we know that the people we help are worth it.

ENDS

Media contact

Craig Hollywood: Joanna Holcombe: +61 414 313 521