Announcing your 2024 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce Brenda Lin from The Survivor Hub as your 2024 Westfield Local Hero for Chatswood!

Westfield is proud to award a community grant of $20K to help Brenda Lin at The Survivor Hub 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 – totaling $AUD1.24 million to support local communities.

Your 2024 Westfield Chatswood Local Hero is:

Brenda Lin

The Survivor Hub

Resilient. Compassionate. Dedicated.

Chatswood Brenda Lin 1800x1000

Brenda Lin is a tireless advocate for sexual assault survivors, co-founding The Survivor Hub in 2021. She has spent most of her life dedicated to supporting survivors through public advocacy and runs TSH full time as a volunteer.

Through TSH, Brenda provides safe spaces for survivors to connect, share their experiences and support each other. She runs peer support groups and manages a private Facebook group, fostering a community where survivors feel understood and empowered.

“In NSW, our organisation is the only organisation that offers peer support or group support that is open to all survivors and their allies aged over 16,” Brenda says. "I am a sexual assault survivor and homicide victim. I lost my family when I was 15, and I have recently turned 30. The Survivor Hub is the place I wish existed when I first needed support. Being able to find connection with others who can relate is critical to the healing journey."

Over the past two years, Brenda has established 11 peer support locations across NSW and Victoria, supporting over 1,000 survivors. Brenda continues to work tirelessly, volunteering 30-40 hours a week while pursuing a PhD in youth justice rehabilitation and tutoring criminology.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes is the Westfield Chatswood Local Hero for 2024, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. The Survivor Hub will use the grant to expand The Survivor Hub to meet growing demand for the service and fund resources such as wages to ensure long-term sustainability of the organisation.

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

Untitled design (8)

Angus Bowring from Top Blokes Foundation

Angus Bowring is helping young men become Top Blokes. As a dedicated youth worker with the Top Blokes Foundation, Angus delivers invaluable programs to young males between the ages of 10 and 24, aimed at making a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. His work has benefitted hundreds of young men across Sydney.

Jennifer Pride from Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Jenny Pride is an inspiring foster carer and a passionate member of Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA). Over the past 23 years, she has fostered over 40 children — more than half of whom have high support needs. Now in her 70s, she continues to foster children, care for her adopted daughter and support other caregivers.

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