Westfield Local Heroes is a recognition and awards program that connects and enriches communities in Australia and New Zealand. The program discovers and celebrates individuals who make a positive impact to their local community and/or environment.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.

Bryan Coleman

The Banksia Project
__Passionate . Selfless . Dedicated __

Business executive Bryan Coleman knows through experience that many men suffer through mental illness in silence, not knowing how to speak about their anguish and unable to seek help. That’s why he and other volunteers set up the Banksia project, which provides a free, safe and supportive peer environment in which men can speak about their stress, anxiety and depression before they hit a crisis point, thus preventing suicide. “We aim to educate and provide skills that will empower an individual to manage their mental health on a general day to day basis,” says Bryan.

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Eliza Wilson

Streetwork
__Devoted . Open-hearted . Energised __

At 24 years old, Eliza Wilson has already devoted much of her life to helping others. The caseworker on Streetwork’s Kickstart program has up to 15 vulnerable young women under her wing at any time. Some are as young as 11, and the oldest are 18. Eliza works one-on-one with each to achieve the goals they have chosen for themselves. This could be to improve their mental health, improve school attendance or performance, overcome substance abuse, reduce their risk of homelessness or increase their engagement in social activities.

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Michelle Barry

Life's Little Treasures Foundation
__Passionate . Empathetic . Tireless __

Driven by a deep sense of caring, she identified a need for some community compassion and support for families with sick or premature babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). These families can spend many months in hospital with their babies, with only bread and a vending machine available to them within the unit. She created a donation-led breakfast and snack food table (The Brekkie Bar) to provide easily accessible nutritious and treat foods for families to help themselves. She is delighted that her Brekkie Bar has also become a comforting gathering place and facilitates peer support for exhausted and overwhelmed families. “Parents share their experiences, celebrate milestones and lend an ear,” says Michelle.

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Recognising all our 2019 nominees

We congratulate all of our finalists and nominees and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.
View all of the finalists, nominees and their organisations

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