Short Back & Sidewalks recognised in Citizenship of the Year Awards

Wholly volunteer-led Short Back & Sidewalks have been honoured with the Active Citizenship Award in the 2023 Auspire - The Australia Day Council WA Community Citizen of the Year Awards for its work in giving haircuts free of charge and free of judgment to people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

“Behind Short Back & Sidewalks is a huge team of dedicated volunteers from all across Australia, working together and using diverse skill sets to have a frontline impact to those in need,” said founder and CEO Craig Hollywood.

“Receiving recognition for the City Of Perth Active Citizenship Award for 2023 is a reflection of the hard volunteering work put in by hundreds of people over a period of eight years.

“Together we have positively impacted the lives of over 10,000 Australians in need.”

When announcing the award, The Honourable Chris Dawson, Governor of Western Australia, thanked the SBSW volunteers for their work and care for their fellow citizens.

“Short Back & Sidewalks has done such tremendous work amongst our homeless in this city and around the state,” said Governor Dawson.

While also presenting the award, Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said Perth is a city for everyone.

“It’s our people that make our city of light shine so brightly,” he said.

“Our Community Citizen Award winners are the embodiment of that.”

SBSW has more than 350 volunteers, with services offered in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. 

These services go beyond giving free haircuts; they create meaningful connections through conversations with clients, and create visibility for some of the most marginalised community members in Australia.

SBSW thanks the team at Auspire, City Of Perth, and Department of Communities for the award.

“We are truly honoured to be recognised in the city we started Short Back & Sidewalks in,” said Mr Hollywood.

Short Back & Sidewalks aim is to give 15,000 free haircuts and positive community connections per year by 2025.