Presenting your 2021 Westfield Local Heroes

We are excited to announce your three 2021 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Chermside.

Each of the affiliated organisations of the successful heroes will be awarded a $10,000 grant to support their work to thrive. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

For further information or to discover the Westifield Local Heroes at other Westfield centres, visit the Westfield Local Heroes website.

Your three Westfield Chermside Local Heroes are:

Amy Dawes

Australasian Birth Trauma Association
Inspirational. Generous. Thought-leader

Amy is an effective advocate for bringing consumers, clinicians and researchers together to support women, birthing people and families affected by birth-related trauma. In 2016, Amy founded the Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA), is a charity focused on the recognition and understanding of birth-related trauma. Her vision is for safer births, better healing.

Find out more >

Jodie Frisch

RizeUp Australia
Committed. Passionate. Determined

Jodie Frisch is on a mission to ensure families fleeing domestic violence have everything they need to rebuild their lives. As Homes Manager at RizeUp Australia, Jodie works tirelessly to furnish new accommodation, provide clothing for children and source critical items at a moment’s notice. She is known for being strong, loyal and kind.

Find out more >

Sammy Leone

The Boss Boxing
Dedicated. Hardworking. Leader

Former boxing champion Sammy Leone is a proud Aboriginal man who has supported the Zillmere community for more than a decade, using his sport to transform the lives of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Sammy is passionate about using the skills developed in boxing to keep people away from substance abuse and crime. A few years ago, he founded The Boss Boxing, where he is head coach.

Find out more >

We congratulate our finalists and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.

Eileen Cooke from Preterm Infants Parents Association Inc. (PIPA)
Veteran volunteer Eileen Mary Jane Cooke is the driving force behind support for Queensland parents of premature babies. Eileen has been volunteering with the Preterm Infants Parents Association (PIPA) for over 20 years and has helped many parents in that time. It is her way of giving back for the support she received from PIPA when she needed it.

Garry Hunt from SANDBAG (Sandgate and Bracken Ridge Action Group Incorporated)
Garry Hunt is a hard-working community worker dedicated to providing practical support to people in need. The volunteer turned staff member at Sandgate and Bracken Ridge Action Group (SANDBAG), Garry has supported thousands of people facing poverty, homelessness, mental illness, domestic violence and discrimination.

Len McCandless from Rosies - Friends on the Street Brisbane North Branch
Len McCandless is an empathetic community worker who uses his own experience of living on the street to help homeless people or those living with a disability. He is the team leader at Rosie's - Friends on the Street Brisbane North Branch, where he is known for his big heart – always greeting patrons with a smile, a cup of tea and a chat.

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