We are excited to announce Melissa from Stepping Our Program as your 2024 Westfield Local Hero for Burwood!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Melissa at Stepping Our Program 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.

Your 2024 Westfield Burwood Local Hero is:_

Melissa Holmes

Stepping Out Program
Brave. Inspirational. Kind.

Melissa Holmes is passionate about supporting and advocating for female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. After a long career working with women and children in mental health and homelessness, she believes that addressing this taboo topic can break cycles of domestic abuse and intergenerational trauma, mitigate risk and empower survivors.

Motivated by social justice for women whose lives have been profoundly impacted through no fault of their own, Melissa’s mission is to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of childhood sexual abuse to improve outcomes for survivors.

Stepping Out has been in operation since 1986 and as CEO, Melissa has revitalised the specialist service to focus on the emotional needs of survivors.

Stepping Out programs provide survivors with a sense of validation, belonging, connection and trust. By holding a safe space for survivors, risks are mitigated such as social isolation, domestic abuse, homelessness and hospitalisation. Melissa meets each survivor where they are at on their journey, working with other services to provide holistic support.

Melissa is dedicated to ensuring these services are provided despite no ongoing funding because she believes so strongly that female survivors of childhood sexual abuse should feel heard and believed.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Burwood Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. Stepping Out will use the grant to pay for a year’s worth of programs and workshops to support childhood sexual abuse survivors.

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

Robert Craven from Children’s Tumour Foundation

Robert Craven is a dedicated volunteer for Children's Tumour Foundation (CTF), the only support organisation in Australia for people living with neurofibromatosis. Robert helps wherever he sees the need and switches between helping to organise fundraising events, preparing items for camps and using his many skills to support CTF staff.

Rosemary King from St. Paul’s Burwood

Rosemary King dedicates her time to helping feed pensioners and people experiencing homelessness at St Paul’s Burwood Parish Pantry. As a lay minister, she assists approximately 200 people weekly with nutritious food and advocates for those in need. Rosemary works to break down social isolation and build community connections.

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

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Recognising all our 2024 nominees

View all of the Westfield Burwood nominees and their organisations.