Announcing your 2024 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce Serena Gamble from Feed it Forward Incorporated as your 2024 Westfield Local Hero for Westfield Booragoon!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Serena Gamble at Feed it Forward Incorporated to continue to grow their impact in the local community.

The 2024 Westfield Local Heroes program will award 125 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $AUD1.24 million to support local communities.

Serena Gamble

Feed it Forward Incorporated
Caring. Compassionate. Committed.

Booragoon Serena Gamble RGB 1800x1000

Serena Gamble has been volunteering with Feed it Forward since 2019. After initially seeking food assistance from the organisation, she now collects and distributes food donations, saving thousands of kilos from landfill and helping countless families.

Each weekend, Serena manages an open pantry from her home, which benefits around 150 households, including singles, couples, older people and individuals with disabilities.

Serena is motivated to save food from landfill and assist her community. "Seeing the gratitude and amazement of those we help is incredibly fulfilling," she says. "Some people travel for 30 minutes by bus and train to receive support, as many are students."

Serena also helps prepare emergency food relief hampers, donates fruit to schools, and supports parenting groups. Her dedication to reducing food waste and helping those in need makes her an invaluable asset to the community.

Serena appreciates her nomination as a Westfield Local Hero. She hopes it will highlight the vital work that Feed it Forward does to help the community and reduce food waste. "Everyone is welcome, no referral is required, and no one is judged," she says. "We're here to help."

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Booragoon Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. Feed it Forward will use the grant to pay for volunteer and public liability insurance, as well as marketing material and petrol vouchers to assist volunteers.

We'd like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent...

Booragoon Local Heroes 2024

Jolene Ellat from Domestic Abuse Resource Training Group

Jolene Ellat is the CEO and founder of the Domestic Abuse Resource Training Institute (DART). She advocates against gendered violence and has trained thousands of front-line workers to support survivors and engage users of violence, benefiting over 100,000 people impacted by domestic violence. Her programs bridge critical gaps in the system, raising community awareness and fostering informed responses to domestic violence.

Michelle Forsyth from Port School’s Young Parent Centre

Michelle Forsyth is dedicated to supporting young mothers achieve their educational goals. As the centre manager at Port School’s Young Parent Centre, she creates a safe, judgment-free learning environment. Michelle’s commitment includes offering counselling, organising events and providing transportation. Her efforts profoundly impact the lives of young mothers.

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