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

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.

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Your three Westfield Bondi Junction Local Heroes are:

Chana Kavka

Sydney Friendship Circle
Dedicated. Committed. Talented

Chana Kavka launched the Sydney Friendship Circle 15 years ago and galvanises hundreds of young people with disabilities to engage with each other and society. She offers regular Sunday activities and other opportunities for children, teenagers and young adults, with and without disabilities. A crucial element is the connection fostered between volunteers and the families they help.

Find out more >

Lisa Saunders

Arnie's Recon
Driven. Focused. Determined

Inspirational Lisa and Adrian Saunders have harnessed community power to keep 1400 tons of computer equipment, appliances and cables out of landfill. They co-founded the social enterprise Arnie’s Recon, offering free pick up and recycling of e-waste. “Our service is free to make it easy for people to recycle,” says Lisa.

Find out more >

Renuka Fernando

The Run for Good Project
Driven. Committed. Visionary

Renuka (Ren) Fernando has created the Run for Good Project. A community of like-minded people who meet for weekly sessions at Centennial Park to keep fit, raise money and collect household items for people in need. In the past 12 months, the volunteers and other local community have provided furniture for over 100 families and helped people in need in numerous different ways.

Find out more >

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

Ben Higgs from Rise Foundation
Ben Higgs has touched the lives of more than 30,000 people through the Rise Foundation, which he formed to give people the tools to take care of their mental health. He and his fellow mental health trainers work with people from all walks of life, including lawyers, accountants, first responders, underground miners, airport baggage handlers and teachers.

If you need support, please visit Rise Foundation or phone Lifeline: 13 11 14

Elloise Brake from The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation
Clinical psychologist Elloise Brake has helped more than 150 women struggling emotionally before and after having a baby or with other life events. Many of the women Elloise sees are highly anxious about their capacity to be good enough parents. She supports her clients to find their own path through the intense adjustment to new motherhood.

Liam Buckley from The Pinnacle Foundation
Liam Buckley is giving back as the NSW Chair of the Pinnacle Foundation, which provides mentors and scholarships to help young LGBTIQ+ students complete their tertiary education and become role models. Thanks in part to Liam’s fundraising, there are 10 NSW scholars in the program this year, joining dozens of achievers from previous years.

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

Recognising all our 2021 nominees

View all of the Westfield Bondi Junction nominees and their organisations