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.

Anne Clements

Vision Australia
Caring . Committed . Passionate

Most people in Brisbane have come across Vision Australia’s plastic collection dogs for the seeing eye dog program. That’s thanks to Anne Clement. The dedicated volunteer builds warm relationships with the businesses that home the dogs, exchanges them when they are full and takes care of the coins. Anne has a vision-impaired son and immersed herself in charity work when it was time for him to gain his independence after high school. “With my children grown up, it was time for me to give back to ensure clients achieve their goals of independent lifestyles,” says Anne.

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Chris Boyle

Commsync Foundation
Compassionate . Tenacious . Respectful

With over 20 years of experience in community support, Chris Boyle has developed a way for women and children at risk of domestic violence discreetly to call for help if threatened. Chris is the founder of the non-profit Commsync Foundation, which has developed wearable technology that transmits live audio and location at the touch of a button or in response to a voice command.This alerts pre-identified supporters to call triple zero or respond in another way. “Our passion is to give a voice and a tangible solution to our community’s most vulnerable,” says Chris.

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Claire Gonchee

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Queensland
Determined . Strong . Passionate

Claire Gonchee was born with disabling spina bifida and hydrocephalus, enduring social isolation, bullying and multiple hospital stays, which can last months.Despite this, she has managed to complete a Human Services degree and is engaged, but jokes she needs to stay out of hospital long enough to actually get married.SBH Queensland has been part of Claire’s life since childhood, providing invaluable support and teaching her it is ok to be disabled. Now she is giving back, taking on a board role supporting what she describes as the charity’s “life-changing programs and therapy services”.

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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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