Presenting your 2021 Westfield Local Heroes

We are excited to announce your three 2021 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Belconnen.

Each of the affiliated organisations of the successful heroes will be awarded a $10,000 grant to support their work to thrive. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

For further information or to discover the Westifield Local Heroes at other Westfield centres, visit the Westfield Local Heroes website.

Your three Westfield Belconnen Local Heroes are:

Gaye Wade

Roundabout Canberra
Dedicated. Kind. Trusted

Gaye Wade has helped thousands of children to get a safe start to life through the organisation Roundabout Canberra. Last year, the retired midwife and a team of volunteers helped 1360 children in need with high-quality clothing, car seats and other essentials while saving 15 tons of fabric from landfill.

Find out more >

Leigh McIntosh

Livin for Hockey (LFH)
Decent. Openhearted. Free

Leigh McIntosh works hard to ensure hockey players feel welcome and supported regardless of their mental health or economic circumstances. Leigh, who lives with Borderline Personality Disorder, has been playing hockey since his youth and is grateful for the support he received from the community. This warm safety net has inspired him to give back as a dedicated volunteer for the Livin for Hockey (LFH) initiative.

Find out more >

Margaret McGrath

Ngunnawal Street Pantries
Selfless. Community-minded. Driven

In 2020, Margaret McGrath set up the Ngunnawal Street Pantry to help neighbours in need because of COVID-19. Eighteen months later, there are four community pantries in the Gungahlin suburb. They are open every day and have provided people with donated food, clothing, blankets and toys on more than 60,000 occasions.

Find out more >

We congratulate our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.

Dr Eloise Bright from ACT Pet Crisis Support

Dr Eloise Bright works tirelessly so people don’t have to euthanise a sick pet because they can’t afford to pay. She has helped more than 140 pets and their people since she started ACT Pet Crisis Support in 2019.

Jon Wells from Hawker Men's Shed

Jon Wells is always first to pitch in to help. With over 40 years in volunteer roles, it was only natural he would say yes when asked to establish the Hawker Men’s Shed. The Shed provides both men and women at risk of social isolation with a place to socialise while learning new skills.

Tracey Parker from Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation

Tracey Parker loves her job with the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation, where she brings joy into the lives of children impacted by family mental illness. Thanks to her hard work, socially isolated children aged 8 to 18 get to make new friends at camps and activity days while participating in fun activities like canoeing, horse riding, bowling and laser tag.

If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 13 11 14