Bill Crews AM is Minister of the Exodus Foundation, an organisation that exists to meet the immediate material, emotional and spiritual needs of disadvantaged and marginalised people.  The Foundation seeks to empower young Australians through education and literacy and so protect them against the prospect of future unemployment and homelessness.

After completing his engineering studies Bill worked in the field of microelectronic research, studying the properties of silicon, but after a visit to the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross in 1969 he soon became involved in voluntary programs; visiting the elderly and sick.  A few years later he commenced working full-time at the Chapel and in 1972 became Director of the Crisis Centre, remaining in this position for over 10 years.  As a member of the New South Wales Drug and Alcohol Authority, he was involved in establishing drug rehabilitation, education and prevention programs throughout New South Wales and, together with the Reverend Ted Noffs, created the first Life Education Centre.  Life Education Centres are now situated throughout the world.

He left the Chapel to study Theology, graduated in 1986 and was ordained as minister of the Ashfield Uniting Church in Sydney's inner-west.  He immediately opened the doors of his church to homeless children, who came to sleep on the church pews at night, and hungry people who came to share in the meals he provided.  The Exodus Foundation was established and now operates a free restaurant, serving up to 400 meals a day to the needy; a Tutorial Centre to teach literacy skills to children; a free dental and medical clinic; and help and support services including chaplaincy, counselling, and food parcel assistance.

Bill's ministry stretches beyond Australian shores.  The Exodus Foundation, together with other charitable organisations, has assisted with the collection and distribution of over 600 cubic metres of aid overseas, worth $A7.5 million.  In 2008 he became involved with the ‘straw' project to forward nutrient straws to AIDS-affected young people in Africa and Asia.  He is currently assisting with the establishment of a Youth Hub in Thailand and a community health centre in Zimbabwe.  Several CQUniversity staff and students are volunteers in the outreach programs of the Exodus Foundation, and others are providing expertise to help with the establishment of the Bill Crews Trust, which will have a more international focus.

He supports multi-faith dialogue and understanding between cultures; is a Patron of ‘Australians For Just Refugee Programs'; Chairman of ‘Fair Go Australia' - an anti-racism project sponsored by the New South Wales government and a tireless campaigner for poker machine reform.  He was voted ‘Father of the Year' and ‘Humanitarian of the Year' in 1992 and was included in the National Trust's 100 "National Living Treasures".  In 1999 he was awarded an Order of Australia for services to the disadvantaged and his work with the homeless.

Reverend Crews is a champion of diversity and inclusiveness and his many achievements demonstrate his capacity to lead and positively influence the community in a tangible way.  His humanitarian mission demonstrates and extends love and service towards all people, regardless of race, religion, lifestyle, age or politics.  He embodies CQUniversity's strong values of diversity, which embraces students and staff from all walks of life.