International Volunteer Managers Day Forum

Craig Hollywood, Founder, CEO and Volunteer – Shortback and Sidewalks

Craig founded Short Back & Sidewalks in early 2015 and was named as Western Australia’s Local Hero in 2022 as part of the Australian of the Year Awards.

While Craig has volunteered at all levels of Short Back & Sidewalks he is the visionary that keeps the team striving to better serve those in need.

Craig’s full time role involves working for a Tier 1 consultancy specialising in digital engineering delivery and he also plays a critical role in Short Back & Sidewalks’s national expansion and strategic partnerships.

Having had a family member experience homelessness, Craig is passionate about breaking the stigma often attached to society’s most vulnerable people.

May Bowden – Manager Volunteer Services – St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies)

May is a leader and not-for-profit specialist with considerable experience in the commercial and charity sectors.

May has held several board positions including Acting CEO of a national disability support group and was a nominee for the 2014 Telstra Businesswoman of the Year award.

At Vinnies May’s responsibilities include but are not limited to providing strategic insights to 150+ volunteer managers as well as coaching and training them to be leaders and mentors. May also encourages volunteer managers to create thriving environments and experiences for volunteers wanting to learn, flourish and make a difference at Vinnies.

Danny McEvoy: Retired Member and President of The Achievers Club WA

The Achievers Club is 100% volunteer run with 45 students and over 90 mentors who support the students to build self-confidence, trust and a sense of achievement in their education and personal lives; and where appropriate assist with pursuing scholarships for future studies.

A husband of 53 years to his wife Sue and a father of two children and four grand-children. Danny retired from a career in State Government in 2010 and decided to enact a wish to help children from low socio-economic backgrounds. The genesis of this wish was brought about by an experience he had as a younger man when he volunteered to be the treasurer for the Girrawheen St Vincent de Paul Society shop. In this role, Danny witnessed how hard life was for some people. He noted that mothers in particular were the ones doing life really tough trying to look after their family with limited finances and limited support.

Dean Huxley: WA Wildlife, Director of Operations

Dean is WA Wildlife’s Director of Operations and holds a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership.

Dean began volunteering for WA Wildlife in 2008 and has been employed since 2012. Dean has conducted more than 150 training workshops for private sector, government and NGO’s and alongside Diane Munrowd has been a driving force behind WA Wildlife since 2010.

Dean was instrumental in the development of the WA Wildlife Hospital (first wildlife veterinary hospital in WA) and he sits on several advisory committees including the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (State Govt) and the Committee for Animal Welfare in Emergencies (State Govt).

Dean is a ‘Climate Reality Leader’ after participating in the 2019 Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in Brisbane and continues as a Mentor for new trainees and was previously involved at an Executive level with Western Australian Seabird Rescue and the Western Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.