Chris Chatterton’s path to leading Variety WA began not in philanthropy, but in a classroom in England. Originally a teacher, he soon stepped beyond education and into public service, eventually becoming Mayor of his local council. It was there, working directly with families and community groups, that he came to understand how leadership decisions could change lives not in theory, but in practice.
“As Mayor, I realised you could genuinely create impact at a community level,” he says. “You could listen, understand challenges, and help build solutions. That experience opened my eyes.”
Today, as Chief Executive Officer of Variety WA, Chatterton has carried that belief across continents applying it to a state where geography, disadvantage and disability intersect in complex ways. While Western Australia is often associated with prosperity and opportunity, many children live with significant barriers, limited access to therapy, unaffordable equipment, long waiting lists, and services that fall short, particularly outside the metropolitan area.
“NDIS plays an important role, but it doesn’t solve every problem,” Chatterton explains. “Access to therapy, equipment and specialist services isn’t as straightforward as many assume especially in regional communities. Equity of access remains one of the biggest challenges facing WA families.”
It is a challenge Variety WA exists to meet, yet demand is rising faster than resources. Over the past year, Variety WA delivered more than $1.5 million in direct assistance, supporting over 13,000 Western Australian children. Requests for support have increased 20 per cent year-on-year. And for every dollar available, there were $3.70 worth of eligible applications that could not be funded, children assessed as genuine need, families meeting every criterion, still waiting.
“That’s the part people don’t always see,” Chatterton says. “We do as much as we can, but demand continues to outpace funding. That’s why it’s so important people understand the real impact Variety WA makes and how urgently that impact is needed.”
Variety WA receives no government funding. Every dollar raised flows directly into grants, scholarships, programs and equipment that improve mobility, independence, communication and participation. A multidisciplinary Kids Support Committee made up of physiotherapists, speech pathologists and allied health professionals assesses each application to ensure assistance is practical, personalised and evidence-based.
“Every child is unique,” Chatterton says. “Our role is to understand what will genuinely improve quality of life not just offer generic support.”
For some families, that impact arrives in a moment that changes everything. At the Variety Motor Mouth Camp, children receive speech devices and intensive training to use them effectively. For some, it is the first time they can communicate independently.
“When a child gains a voice, the whole family dynamic shifts,” Chatterton says. “Confidence grows. Independence becomes possible. That’s real impact.”
As a father himself, Chatterton understands the instinct to do everything possible for one’s children. “Becoming a parent makes this work personal,” he reflects. “You meet families doing everything they can, yet still falling through the gaps.”
In a state defined by distance, delivering support requires more than good intentions. Variety WA now has teams embedded in the Mid West and Kalgoorlie, with a Kimberley office opening soon which is a strategic move to place decision-making and service delivery closer to the communities that need them.
“There’s a difference between viewing challenges from a Perth office and living them on the ground,” he says. “When you become part of the community, you deliver better outcomes.”
Variety’s origins trace back to 1928, when a group of entertainers in Pittsburgh found and cared for an abandoned baby girl in a theatre. That single act of compassion sparked a global movement. In Western Australia, Variety WA has6 been part of that network for more than 40 years filling gaps where other systems fall short and ensuring children have access to essential equipment, educational resources, inclusive programs and experiences that build joy and connection.
Fundraising remains the engine that powers this work. Variety’s motoring heritage from the iconic Variety Bash to 4WD expeditions across remote regions has raised more than a quarter of a billion dollars nationally since 1985, while shining a light on children whose stories might otherwise remain unseen. Today, that legacy is complemented by corporate bike-building initiatives, school-based bike education programs, Spin for Kids events and community partnerships that connect donors directly to outcomes.
“Our supporters don’t just contribute financially,” Chatterton says. “They see first-hand the difference their contribution makes. That connection is powerful.”
Leadership, in his view, is about balancing compassion with discipline. Purpose sets direction and process ensures sustainability.
“You need the right people, governance and structure around you,” he says. “That’s how you scale impact responsibly.”
Looking ahead, his vision is steady, deeper statewide engagement, stronger partnerships, expanded regional reach and continued growth in services while preserving the joy that defines Variety’s culture.
In a time when social need is rising and support systems are under strain, Variety WA stands as a reminder that progress does not always begin with policy. Sometimes it begins with leaders who recognise that impact is not measured in visibility, but in the lives quietly transformed along the way.
By Hearts and Minds
