Presenting your 2022 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce your 2022 successful Westfield Local Hero for Booragoon.

The successful Westfield Local Heroes organisation, will receive a grant of $20,000 to help them continue to grow their impact in the local community. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

In early 2023, we will open nominations for the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference.

Your 2022 Westfield Booragoon Local Hero is:

Leighton Bradfield

20talk
Inspiring. Grounded. Passionate

Inspiring Leighton Bradfeld has a single-minded focus on reducing the suicide rate among young Australians.

As a co-founder of 20talk mental health charity, Leighton leads a group of 20 volunteers who work hard to change the conversation around mental health.

Leighton was motivated to make a difference when he lost two close friends to suicide in two months four years ago. Aged 20 at the time, he and his friends decided they would not let it happen again. With that, Leighton left his job and embarked on a journey of discovery that led him to launch 20talk.

The charity has three ways of engaging with young people; events, media campaigns and resources.

There’s a new event every fortnight, including open nights, fun runs, camps and street talks. Media includes podcasts, documentaries and blog writing.

Through all the hard work, Leighton aims to encourage positive change in the way young people interact with mental health, both their own and that of their peers.

“Our purpose is to meet young people where they’re at, offer them an ear and, when applicable, challenge them to grow,” Leighton says.

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

20talk will put the grant towards 20 mental health first aid scholarships, develop an online fundraising platform and invest in an online suicide prevention campaign.

We also congratulate our finalists who will receive a $5,000 grant for the organisation they represent, and we thank them for their incredible contribution to the local community.

Dylan Needham from Western Electric Sporting Association
Former professional powerchair sports star Dylan Needham is giving back to his community as a dedicated and warm mentor for young members of the Western Electric Sporting Association. A crucial element is for young players to meet adults with high-level disability who have paid employment, live independently and are in relationships.

Em Charlton from Bottle Top Hill
Passionate Em Charlton is bringing her community together while keeping tons of plastic out of landfill. She is the driving force behind Bottle Top Hill, a volunteer-run community group that collects a mountain of bottle tops and other specific plastic items for recycling.

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