Voting has now closed for Westfield Local Heroes

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

This year Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand totalling $1.25M. Now in its 7th year, the Westfield Local Heroes program will have contributed $8.6M to more than 860 successful Local Hero organisations since it began.

Voting has now closed and the Westfield Local Heroes will be announced 15 October.

Meet our Local Hero finalists

Mary Liondi-Barlow

Good Omen Goodeze

Generous. Caring. Inclusive.

Mary Liondi-Barlow is the founder and executive officer of Good Omen Goodeze (GOG), a charity focused on improving mental health and developing community connections through craft. GOG offers inclusive craft meetups for non-English speakers, seniors and people with disabilities who create comfort items which have been donated to over 16,000 hospital, ambulance and hospice patients.

If Mary is successful in the community vote, the money will ensure the sustainability of Good Omen Goodeze’s operations and allow for the expansion of groups in the Belconnen area.

Mimi Hall

A Gender Agenda

Empathetic. Courageous. Positive.

Mimi Hall is the intersex project coordinator at A Gender Agenda (AGA). She advocates for intersex rights, trains healthcare professionals, and supports intersex individuals and their families. Mimi played a pivotal role in passing protective legislation in the ACT in 2023, enhancing the rights and safety of people with variations in sex characteristics.

If Mimi is successful in the community vote, the grant will support programming activities for the intersex community. Funding will also be used to develop and enhance education and professional learning resources.

Victorya Jenkinson

YWCA Canberra

Inclusive. Passionate. Advocate.

Victorya Jenkinson, Director Housing and Homelessness at YWCA Canberra, has dedicated 20 years to supporting women and children escaping domestic violence. Using gender and trauma-informed approaches, she provides safe housing and essential support. Victorya is a dedicated LGBTQI+ advocate and has contributed to the National LGBTQI+ Inclusive Practice Guide for Homelessness Services.

If Victorya is successful in the community vote, the money will provide homeless women and children with essential household items to re-establish themselves in a new home away from violence.

Voting is now closed for Westfield Local Heroes.

The successful 2024 Westfield Belconnen Local Hero will be announced on 15 October. We congratulate all of our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community. Thank you for your votes.

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