Westfield Bondi Local Heroes

Bondi Surf Bathing Life Saving

Gareth plays a key role at Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club, focusing on youth development and wellbeing. He leads the Bondi Cadets program, the annual Wellbeing Patrol, and helps develop mental health advocates on patrol. His efforts support the 1,600+ club members and the many visitors to Bondi Beach.

Planting Seeds

With the knowledge that urban areas can be biodiversity hotspots for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, Judy started her not for-profit to give people a way to help these species survive. Her organisation, PlantingSeeds, works to nurture the native vegetation in urban and suburban areas that supports endangered pollinators, sustainability and biodiversity. Judy’s flagship program, The B&B Highway, brings schools and communities together to create‘bed and breakfasts’ for pollinators, providing them with food, shelter and rest.

Eastside Radio

For 17 years, Tony has been amplifying local music and stories while nurturing new broadcasters through his work at community radio station Eastside Radio in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Tony welcomes diversity and independent music, remains committed to bringing the community together, and tackles problems - such as wild weather knocking out the antennae - head on

St Canice's Kitchen

Father David Braithwaite, Parish Priest and CEO at St Canice’s Kitchen, supports over 60,000 homeless people annually. With the help of 350 volunteers, the kitchen serves up 50,000 meals a year. They also provide free showers, laundry, counselling, legal aid, health clinics and job-seeking assistance.

The Lokahi Foundation

Rachael Natoli created the Lokahi Foundation to help women and their children who have experienced domestic and family abuse. She works tirelessly to de-stigmatise domestic abuse and
help survivors reclaim their lives.

Ocean Heroes Australia

Sam Moyle wants to help people with autism experience the ocean safely. So, he co-founded Ocean Heroes Australia in Western Australia in 2016. Then, he single-handedly launched in New South Wales. In 12 months, Sam trained 219 volunteers and organised free monthly surf events on four
Sydney beaches, benefitting over 400 participants

ReLove

Ben Stammer works tirelessly to give hundreds of women and children high-quality household items they need to escape domestic violence and start a new life. Ben is a co-founder of ReLove, a volunteer-run charity that rescues furniture and household goods for people to choose from in a free department store in Botany.

Cuddle Bundles

Michele Brandenburger is the founder of Cuddle Bundles, a National Council of Jewish Women program that gifts highquality preloved babywear to families with limited means. No questions are asked, and every order is fulfilled with love and respect. So far, the charity has provided bundles for 800 babies.